Baclofen Side Effects & Uses in Addiction Treatment

Baclofen, also known by the brand names Kemstro and Lioresal, is a prescription muscle relaxant drug used to relieve muscle spasms, primarily in the treatment of multiple sclerosis or spinal cord diseases.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this medication relieves spasms of the musculoskeletal system, relieves pain, and improves muscle movement.

Baclofen was originally designed as a drug for the treatment of epilepsy. GABAb Receptor Pharmacology reports that after first being synthesized in 1962, the drug was only minimally successful in the treatment of seizures, but it was widely used to decrease spasticity caused by a variety of diseases. In 2009, a cardiologist named Olivier Ameisen published a memoir detailing his own recovery from alcoholism using baclofen, and this led to subsequent investigations into the efficacy of the drug as a treatment for addiction. While use of baclofen in addiction treatment is still considered experimental, it is gaining prominence in the field, and clinical trials continue to explore the possibilities of its use.

In the past decade, baclofen has been used with increasing frequency in the treatment of drug and alcohol use disorder. In this usage, baclofen functions to lessen the symptoms of withdrawal. Prescribing baclofen to treat addiction is still considered an “off-label” use of the medication, or a use outside of what is approved by the FDA, but this use has shown some success in clinical trials, according to a study published by Cochrane Database of Systematic Review.

Baclofen Side Effects, Dosage & Interactions

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, side effects of baclofen may include the following:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Muscle weakness
• Confusion
• Upset stomach

More severe side effects of this drug include difficulty breathing and seizures; medical help should be sought immediately if either of these side effects is experienced. Side effects are generally minimal and occur primarily when first starting treatment with this medication.

Some individuals may be more susceptible to side effects, including the elderly, and those with impaired renal function. Individuals with galactose intolerance, active peptic ulceration, and porphyria should not take this medication. Additionally, baclofen should be prescribed with caution to the following individuals:

• Those with severe psychiatric disorders
• Individuals with seizure disorders
• Those already receiving antihypertensive therapy
• Anyone suffering from sphincter hypertonia
• Individuals with liver disease or diabetes mellitus

According to the Electronic Medicines Compendium, dosage of baclofen is increased and decreased gradually over time; initial high doses of baclofen, without tapering up to that amount, can cause side effects to be more severe. The maximum recommended daily dose of this medication is 100 mg unless careful medical supervision is provided. Small, frequent doses are generally prescribed rather than larger doses. It may take several days for baclofen to first take effect.

Baclofen may interact with other medications and substances, including alcohol, anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, antihypertensives, dopaminergics, lithium, memantine, and NSAIDS. Baclofen should be avoided during pregnancy, especially during the first three months of gestation, as the drug crosses the placental barrier. Very small quantities of baclofen can be passed to babies through breast milk, but amounts are minimal – low enough that no undesirable effects are typically expected.

Baclofen Half-Life & Timeline

Baclofen is absorbed quickly from the gastrointestinal tract, and peak concentration in the bloodstream occurs about 1-3 hours after oral administration of the medication. Baclofen’s half-life is 3-4 hours in plasma, and its shelf life is three years from the date of manufacture. Oral tablets of the medication also contain lactose, pregelatinised maize starch, maize starch, magnesium stearate, and water.