Baclofen Uses, Side Effects, Withdrawal and More
It’s available in both a tablet and liquid form taken orally or an injectable form, which has the strongest effects. People who abuse baclofen may also consume it with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol to enhance the high. Taking a high dose of baclofen on its own may also cause overdose, which may result in coma or death. In some cases, Baclofen can cause severe side effects that require medical attention, such as respiratory depression, seizures, or an allergic reaction. Is a licensed and practicing pharmacist and medical writer who specializes in different substances, the effects of substance abuse, and substance use disorder. Baclofen is occasionally prescribed as a substance use disorder treatment, specifically for those going through opioid and alcohol withdrawal.
BACLOFEN ADDICTION AND ABUSE
Long-term treatment, even after the blood levels have normalized, is necessary. It is critical because baclofen is slowly removed from the brain. The stored drug in the brain can cause sedation long after the blood levels of the drug are within the normal range. Most notably, the injectable form comes with a boxed warning on the label. Boxed warnings (or black box warnings) inform prescribers about the potentially fatal risks of a prescription drug. Abrupt discontinuation of an addictive drug causes many undesirable effects.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using Baclofen during breastfeeding, but information shows that it passes into breast milk in small amounts. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking Baclofen while breastfeeding. Using Baclofen while you are pregnant may cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome in your newborn babies. Tell your doctor right away if your baby has shakiness or tremors, seizures, or increased muscle tone. Do not suddenly stop using baclofen without checking first with your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take Baclofen depend on the medical problem for which you are using Baclofen. There’s not enough information to say that herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with baclofen. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.
It helps patients feel relaxed and calm, thus providing relief from anxiety, stress, and depression. Baclofen for anxiety is an off-label use, so getting professional medical assistance from a doctor is crucial. Chronic misuse of baclofen can lead to dependence and addiction. Once you develop dependence or addiction to baclofen and you try to stop taking the medication, baclofen withdrawal symptoms arise. Baclofen is indicated primarily for treatment of spasticity from spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.
Intrathecal baclofen
Northpoint Seattle’s outpatient treatment program is located in beautiful Seattle, Washington, baclofen addictive and we work to help the surrounding communities. Never stop taking baclofen without talking with your doctor, especially if you have used high doses for over a month. Thus, the DEA has not yet categorized it in the list of controlled substances.
People Often Ask, Is Baclofen Addictive?
With outpatient treatment, you may be asked to attend therapy sessions throughout the week and have regular appointments with your healthcare providers. However, it is much less structured than a partial hospitalization program. Residential treatment is often preferred to the outpatient alternatives because of the around-the-clock care and support provided.
Drug interactions
Taking Tramadol and Baclofen together to relieve pain can result in serious adverse effects for some individuals. Patients who start taking the medication should be aware of Baclofen side effects and interactions. The medicine comes in the form of pills, injectables, and a pump. The oral forms comprise tablets, caplets, and capsules whose sizes vary according to their strength. They are supplied as white or off-white colored tablets and capsules. Therefore, make sure to talk to your doctor about whether or not baclofen is safe for you to use.
Why Do People Take Baclofen?
If necessary, you can receive medical interventions or co-occurring treatment during baclofen detox. By increasing the body’s dopamine levels, baclofen helps people feel better when dealing with cravings. The feel-good effects of baclofen can lessen cravings for other substances altogether.
- One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options.
- Taking too much baclofen could cause severe side effects or an overdose.
- Baclofen will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness).
- The patient can choose to stop taking alcohol or continue to drink after completing alcohol treatment.
Addiction often develops when users rely on Baclofen to manage muscle spasms and other conditions but start to use it beyond the prescribed amount. This misuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence, making it challenging to stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. As a centroid acting on the central nervous system, Baclofen enhances the muscles’ capacity for movement while reducing pain.
Doctors might also give baclofen to help manage epilepsy or to treat withdrawal when used off-label in addiction recovery programs. In these cases, baclofen is meant to reduce dependence on other drugs. Baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist that works by reducing the activity of nerve cells in the spinal cord, leading to muscle relaxation.
Click on the state you are interested in, and you’ll get a list of the best centers in the area, along with their levels of care, working hours, and contact information. Whether you are looking to receive addiction treatment for baclofen or some other substance or mental health issue, Discovery Institute is here to help. To learn more about the addiction treatment services that we provide, contact us today. If you are taking other medications for health reasons, make sure to tell your doctor before you also start taking baclofen. Taking baclofen with other central nervous system depressants could lead to severe levels of drowsiness. Therefore, you should not operate a vehicle or any other form of heavy machinery while taking this combination of medications.
The Addictive Potential of Baclofen
Taking baclofen again after a severe allergic reaction could lead to death. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest not taking baclofen if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. According to the Electronic Medicines Compendium, you should increase and decrease your dosage of baclofen gradually over time. The action of gradually increasing and decreasing your dosage of medications is called tapering. Not tapering your baclofen dosage could lead to severe side effects. Many people wonder if baclofen is addictive and if is there such a thing as a baclofen withdrawal.
Some people thrive with the flexibility that outpatient programs provide, especially if they have a lot of friends and family around to help them stick to their treatment plan. On the other hand, those with environmental triggers at home and/or lack of strong support will likely need a higher level of care. Outpatient treatment is considered the least intensive level of care.
