Owing to the mood elevating property he started abusing baclofen. Despite its safety profile in hepatic impairment, one must be very cautious in prescribing baclofen because of its mood altering property which may account for its abuse potentiality. However, baclofen is not without some abuse potential and risks, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about what medications may work best for you in addiction treatment. Also, mixing baclofen with alcohol or other drugs can be dangerous. It can enhance side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion, and increase the risk of accidents, addiction, or overdose. Combining these substances can also lead to severe health issues, including respiratory depression and seizures.
These aren’t the most serious effects, though, as depression, hallucinations, and allergic reactions are also possible while taking Baclofen (though they are not typical, thankfully). Baclofen is a prescription-only drug that has been around for years. It is well not only because of its relatively low price but because of the fact that continued use of Baclofen doesn’t seem to result in a great deal of tolerance being built up.
- It’s actually quite easy to fall into misuse with drugs like Baclofen, simply because they aren’t as destructive as other drugs.
- The patients who did not improve with conventional antidepressant therapy started feeling better in terms of his mood symptoms on taking tablet baclofen.
- If you need it to be, you can also use baclofen as one of a combination of medications for combination therapy.
- These symptoms may include increased muscle spasticity, itching, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and tingling sensations.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. Because baclofen and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants, mixing them heightens both of their effects to dangerous levels. People who take baclofen may mix it with alcohol to heighten their euphoric and calming effects. This is not wise as the extreme levels of drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, changes in mood, and agitation that mixing baclofen and alcohol will give you is dangerous. Most baclofen prescriptions are in small and frequent doses. You’re supposed to take oral forms of baclofen around 3 times a day.
If you’ve been taking Baclofen, you may have noticed that your muscles feel much more relaxed than usual. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use baclofen while breastfeeding. Talk with your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of an ovarian cyst.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to Baclofen recovery, but some treatments are more effective than others. If you are taking Baclofen—or helping a loved one who is—it is important to understand how to use it responsibly. When used correctly, Baclofen can make daily life easier and more comfortable. The good news is that most people take Baclofen safely without any problems. Baclofen does produce some symptoms that feel like addiction. Baclofen enhances GABA’s inhibitory effects, calming excessive nerve firing and allowing muscles to relax.
Your care plan might include individual and group therapies, specialist visits, and more. Several treatment levels are available, depending on the severity of your addiction. Understanding your options is important to make sure you get the help you need for successful addiction recovery. If you are or a loved are struggling with substance use disorder, contact The Recovery Village. We can do everything from helping you learn more about the disease of addiction to providing you with information about insurance coverage for treatment.
Baclofen Abuse due to Its Hypomanic Effect in Patients with Alcohol Dependence and Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder
However, misuse dramatically increases the risk of both physical and psychological dependence. Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if baclofen is right for you. Mixing baclofen with other substances is dangerous because it can lead to severe side effects. It is also dangerous because it could cause baclofen to interact with other substances.
- Therefore, you should not operate a vehicle or any other form of heavy machinery while taking this combination of medications.
- Baclofen addiction treatment usually consists of detox, some form of inpatient or outpatient treatment, support groups, and aftercare.
- However, prolonged use of baclofen can cause physical dependence, which may lead to withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.
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For example,elevations in serum creatinine kinase, potassium, and creatinine levels canalert clinicians to the development of rhabdomyolysis that can you get high from baclofen can occur withbaclofen withdrawal syndrome. Baclofen is not considered a drug of abuse, but this drug can be misused or abused. With its calming effects, some people may abuse baclofen to relax and gain a high. It may also be abused recreationally by combining it with other drugs to amplify the effects.
Oral baclofen dosing for spasticity
Mixing baclofen with other drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as opioids, sleep aids, muscle relaxers, or alcohol, can have dangerous and unpredictable results. However, limited research exists on baclofen’s effectiveness. Some studies have shown success in treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome.7 The FDA has not yet approved it because it lacks sufficient data demonstrating its efficacy, so it’s limited to off-label use. Baclofen can help with alcohol and drug addiction treatment by altering the chemical processes that contribute to substance abuse. Because the drug mimics GABA and has a calming effect, it increases dopamine levels and may reduce cravings for an addictive substance. Continued research into addiction medicine has demonstrated that a combination of therapies and medications can be effective as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan.
This class of drugs has been in the national and worldwide spotlight in recent years because of the addiction and dependence they cause. Even in people who are prescribed opioids for pain relief, it’s possible to become addicted. When a physician is discussing prescribing a patient baclofen, it’s natural they might want to know if it’s a narcotic. This is because of the side effects of narcotics and their habit-forming potential. Laboratory and imaging studies can provide supporting evidence.
Treatment Programs for Baclofen Abuse
The drug is not usually tolerance forming, but that can happen, in which case it is advised to take some time off to allow the body to recover. The off-label effect is similar to many anxiolytic drugs, in that it helps you to feel calm and relaxed. You don’t even need a particularly large dose to start to feel the effects, 5-10 milligrams by oral tablet on the low-end, and 20 milligrams per dose on the high end.
Baclofen toxicity signs and symptoms
While less common, the most serious side effects of baclofen are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Baclofen relaxes muscles by reducing nerve activity in the spinal cord. Baclofen may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Baclofen can cause dangerous side effects, such as difficulty breathing or seizures.4 These are medical emergencies that require prompt attention. We recognise the impact addiction has on families and friends. Our specialised care tackles addiction and related mental health concerns, creating a compassionate environment where your loved ones can find the healing they need. Recovery is about rebuilding a life that feels good again. Reconnecting with the people who support you, exploring new interests, and surrounding yourself with a strong community can help you create lasting change.
Baclofen Addiction Treatment
If necessary, you can receive medical interventions or co-occurring treatment during baclofen detox. Recently, there has been research looking at the effectiveness of baclofen to aid in symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be serious and deadly as someone with alcohol use disorder tries to stop drinking.
