Baclofen: MedlinePlus Drug Information

As such, doctors will introduce the drug slowly to find the minimum effective dosage. If a person later needs to come off the drug, the doctor will taper the dosage gradually to minimize the risk of withdrawal. However, a 2017 study notes that doctors may prescribe the drug off-label to help treat comorbid alcohol use disorder and anxiety disorder.

Does Expired Medication Lose Its Effectiveness?

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.

ITB withdrawal laboratory and imaging analysis

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What is this medication?

Yes, baclofen expiration dates should be checked before use. Expired medication may not work as intended and could lead to unexpected side effects. Baclofen is not classified as a controlled substance, but it can be habit-forming when misused. Long-term use can lead to addiction, requiring professional intervention for withdrawal and recovery.

Do not stop taking baclofen without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Abruptly stopping this medication can cause seizures, fever, confusion, muscle stiffness, or hallucinations. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. Baclofen may interact with other medicines and is baclofen habit forming supplements.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use baclofen only for the indication prescribed.
• Clinicians should evaluate patients carefully, especially those with a history of substance abuse or mental health issues.
• Healthcare providers who prescribe baclofen should provide the patient with information on the safe usage of this medication.
• Functional MRI studies show that drug-related cues activate the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, regions involved in emotional processing and decision-making, embedding conditioned responses into neural circuits.
• If you or someone you care about is seeking support for substance abuse and addiction challenges, we are here to offer our assistance.

Baclofen and other drugs

A 2016 case study notes that reports of baclofen dependence and abuse are rare. However, abruptly reducing or discontinuing baclofen may result in withdrawal, especially if a person has been taking the drug for more than 2 months. As such, doctors recommend tapering the dose off gradually over 2–4 weeks to prevent withdrawal symptoms. It works by relaxing your muscles, which reduces muscle stiffness. It belongs to a group of medications called muscle relaxants. Minozzi et al.20 performed a Cochrane review of 12 randomized controlled trials toassess the efficacy and safety of baclofen for the treatment of AUD.

If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms can include trouble breathing and swelling of your throat or tongue. Baclofen also comes as a spinal injection, which is only given by a healthcare provider. This medicine comes with a patient information and instructions leaflet.

Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Overdose symptoms may include increasing drowsiness, dizziness, sleepiness, trouble focusing on objects, shallow breathing, seizure, or muscle weakness leading to loss of consciousness. You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using baclofen suddenly.

Baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog that activates the GABA-B receptor subtype, and is used worldwide in neurology for the treatment of spasticity due to its myorelaxant properties (1). While it is clearly established that the myorelaxant properties of baclofen are related to a dampening of the spinal motor reflex (13), its potential mechanism of action in AUD remains elusive. All these systems and functions are possibly involved in the anti-addictive effects of baclofen. In the present paper, the biological effects of baclofen are reviewed in the light of its clinical effects, assuming that, in many instances, clinical effects can be reliable indicators of underlying biological processes. Another reason why the therapeutic effect of baclofen in AUD is likely not to be related to a global anti-dopaminergic effect is that it is not compatible with the phenomenology of the state of indifference toward alcohol. Patients indifferent to alcohol are no longer interested in alcohol, but they experience normal enjoyment for the other aspects of their life.

Some people use baclofen for euphoria or relaxation, which greatly increases their risk of overdose. Underlying medical problems, especially renal disease or liver damage, can also slow down the drug’s metabolism, causing it to build up in the bloodstream and reach hazardous levels. The danger of overdosing might be increased by several elements. The most dangerous situation is caused by mixing baclofen with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids.

• Immediate medical attention is required in case of an overdose.
• Baclofen acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to produce its muscle relaxant effects.
• The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.
• You shouldn’t need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled.

Seeking Help for Baclofen Addiction

Additionally, 67 percent of people who use muscle relaxers also use an opioid. Among these, Carisoprodol stands out as one of the most abused. Studies reveal that it is frequently sought through multiple prescriptions or even fraudulent prescriptions, contributing to the alarming rise in muscle relaxer addiction. Serotonergic and noradrenergic systems further influence craving intensity by affecting mood, stress response, and impulse control. Cocaine increases serotonin levels by inhibiting its transporter (SERT), temporarily enhancing mood. However, prolonged use depletes serotonin, contributing to dysphoria and relapse risk.

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.

Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away.