Since some baclofen may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator. Do not share baclofen with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Your doctor may do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working.
Steps to Minimize the Risk of Developing a Baclofen Addiction
However, the drug subsequently demonstrated reduced efficacy compared to standard therapy. Baclofen regained widespread consideration in 1971 after it was found to effectively treat muscle spasticity in patients with various neurological disorders. This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using baclofen. Laboratory and imaging studies can provide supporting evidence.
Baclofen and Other Drugs
That baclofen reduces alcohol consumption in animal models has been further strengthened by the demonstration that R(+)-baclofen, and not S(-)-baclofen selectively reduces self-administration of alcohol in rats (66). Regarding the mechanism of action of baclofen in these models, it is generally hypothesized that baclofen reduces alcohol consumption through an anti-dopaminergic effect. The first is the fact that baclofen has clear anti-rewarding effects. The second is that microinjection of baclofen directly into the VTA blocks the behavioral response to cues and the cue-evoked firing of subpopulations of NAc neurons that respond to predictive cues (69).
Can Baclofen Be Used for Drug Addiction Treatment?
Abrupt withdrawal of intrathecal baclofen after more than 2 months of therapy may result in a hypermetabolic state with hyperpyrexia, impaired mental status, muscle rigidity, and severe rebound spasticity. These patients may advance to rhabdomyolysis and multi-organ system failure. These symptoms improve after resuming baclofen at a similar dose. Withdrawal most commonly occurs due to a delivery system problem. The patient and caregiver must understand the importance of monitoring the pump to prevent withdrawal events. Prescription drugs can be lifesavers when taken correctly, but misuse can lead to dependency and harm your health.
Other symptoms of baclofen abuse related to an overdose can include slowed heart rate or other changes in heart muscle conduction. People who have taken too much baclofen may show outward signs like vertigo, problems breathing, and a loss of consciousness. Baclofen abuse can begin when someone has a legitimate prescription for the drug. Then, over time, someone may show signs of abuse, such as taking higher doses than prescribed or taking baclofen more often than prescribed. People who abuse baclofen may combine it with other substances, use it without a prescription, or use baclofen in any way outside prescribing instructions. Baclofen abuse can increase the likelihood of addiction and dependence.
Adverse effects
Abuse often leads to tolerance, meaning users need higher doses for the same effect. This increased dosage amplifies side effects, making withdrawal and detox more challenging. Baclofen exerts its effects by modulating inhibitory neurotransmission.
This article delves into the intricacies of obtaining Baclofen, a medication commonly used to manage spasticity and certain medical conditions. We’ll explore the options, regulations, and considerations surrounding Baclofen access, providing you with valuable insights on acquiring this medication. Pharmacologic adjuncts for the treatment of baclofen withdrawalsyndrome. A simple model of baclofen’s presynaptic and postsynaptic activity mediatedthrough the GABAB receptor. The net result is a reduction in thepostsynaptic motor neuron action potential, decreasing spasticity.
Potential Risks of Taking Expired Muscle Relaxants
Baclofen can interact with other drugs, and this may increase the risk of side effects. If you take other medications that also cause drowsiness such as other opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines, or other medications for sleep, you may have more side effects. Get emergency help right away if you have trouble breathing or are unusually tired or sleepy. This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with baclofen. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
- There is a higher risk of addiction for those with a history of substance abuse.
- Baclofen is used to treat pain and certain types of spasticity (muscle stiffness and tightness) from multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or other spinal cord diseases.
- Muscle relaxants can also cause withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures or hallucinations (sensing things that aren’t real).
- If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks.
- The dosage of tizanidine should be tailored to each person and because it only lasts for a short time in the body, it can be taken on an when required basis.
- Many people suffer from muscle spasms, and muscle relaxers can provide some relief when used appropriately for short periods of time.
Some of the general signs ofbaclofen abuseare difficult to distinguish from side effects resulting from normal use, such as dizziness, weakness, and drowsiness. Other signs of baclofen abuse can include central nervous system depression, insomnia, and fatigue. Once administered, baclofen is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, reaching peak plasma concentrations within one to three hours.
People seeking relaxation or euphoria may misuse medications by taking higher-than-prescribed doses. Over time, the brain can become dependent on the drug’s effects, leading to is baclofen habit forming baclofen addiction. Chronic misuse increases the risk of dependency, causing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is finished. Tizanidine may be used to reduce muscle spasms but common side effects include sleepiness, a drop in blood pressure, and a dry mouth. The dosage of tizanidine should be tailored to each person and because it only lasts for a short time in the body, it can be taken on an when required basis. Your healthcare provider will need to monitor your liver enzymes while you are taking it.
- However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution for patients receiving this medicine.
- Muscle spasticity, on the other hand, is a continuous muscle spasm that causes stiffness, rigidity, or tightness that can interfere with normal walking, talking, or movement.
- Severe, long-term spasticity can lead to muscle contracture, which can decrease your range of motion or leave the affected joints permanently bent.
- Some muscle relaxers are used for other conditions like spinal cord injury, brain injury, back pain, MS, cerebral palsy, and ALS.
- A 2016 case study notes that reports of baclofen dependence and abuse are rare.
- All these systems and functions are possibly involved in the anti-addictive effects of baclofen.
Careful titration and monitoring ensure benefits outweigh side effects. Baclofen is typically taken orally in tablet form, with doses ranging from 5 mg to 20 mg, three times daily. Peak plasma concentrations occur within one to three hours. Due to its short half-life of two to six hours, multiple daily doses are needed to maintain stable levels.
We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, click here to find a treatment facility. If you or someone you care about is seeking support for substance abuse and addiction challenges, we are here to offer our assistance. According to The National Library of Medicine, using baclofen for alcohol use disorder has shown promising results over the past couple of years and may be used to treat this condition.
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