It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if baclofen is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. However, if baclofen makes you sick (vomit) or have severe diarrhea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Baclofen: Is It Addictive or an Addiction Aid?

Baclofen can also lead to tolerance in many patients, meaning they require higher doses over time to achieve the same muscle-relaxing effects or withdrawal relief. People with chronic illnesses or persistent muscle pain are particularly at risk of tolerance—and possibly, misuse. One study found that people using baclofen gradually reduced their cocaine use. Even though baclofen can help in certain addiction treatment programs, it can still be abused.

Both of these methods can help people as they seek liberty from substance dependence. While in an individual therapy session, a person can discuss his or her needs, feelings, emotions, experiences, challenges, and more with a therapist. This one-on-one setting allows people to freely express themselves without fear of judgment. It also enables people to receive individualized and personalized care and guidance. When it comes to the side effects baclofen use may produce, it is important for individuals to be aware of the ways in which this drug may affect them.

• One of the main reasons a doctor can use Lioresal for alcohol use disorder is because it helps to reduce the compulsion to drink.
• The biggest challenge with an intensive outpatient program is that it requires a strong support system, a healthy home environment, and the ability to get to and from multiple appointments.
• Due to the short half-life of 2 to 6 hours, baclofen should be administrated frequently to achieve optimal effect.
• Monitor for signs and symptoms of baclofen withdrawal if the dose is reduced or discontinued 29.
• Baclofen will add to the side effects of CNS depressants such as antihistamines, cold medications, prescription pain relievers and seizure medications.
• While your child is asleep (under a general anaesthetic), a neurosurgeon will implant the pump (about the size of a computer mouse) into you or your child’s abdomen on one side near the hip bone.

Baclofen Side Effects –  Oral

That way you can receive the 24/7 care that you’ll need to remain sober after treatment is done. Baclofen detox is essential when receiving addiction treatment for baclofen because of the severity of baclofen withdrawal symptoms. If necessary, you can receive medical interventions or co-occurring treatment during baclofen detox.

Recovery Connection

Baclofen will add to the side effects of CNS depressants such as antihistamines, cold medications, prescription pain relievers and seizure medications. When Baclofen is injected, it can create withdrawal symptoms if not received in a timely manner. Even though Lioresal is a prescription drug, and it is prohibited from buying without one, some patients are trying to get it from unofficial street sources. It cannot be stressed enough that Baclofen must only be taken with a doctor’s prescription and bought only via authorized sellers. Taking Tramadol and Baclofen together to relieve pain can result in serious adverse effects for some individuals. However, taking other pain medications along with Lioresal should only be considered under a medical professional’s advice.

The risk of addiction is generally low when baclofen is taken under medical supervision, but it’s not zero. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

Its half-life in plasma ranges from 3 to 4 hours, while the medication itself can stay shelf-stable for up to three years from the manufacturing date. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of Baclofen. 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. Even though they have done a trial, your doctors cannot predict exactly how you or your child will respond to intrathecal baclofen therapy.

• When someone abuses baclofen—either by taking too much or mixing it with other drugs—they may feel a euphoria akin to mild intoxication or the effects of marijuana.
• Baclofen interacts with GABA-B receptors in the brain, which are involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter systems for dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate as well as memory pathways and other cognitive functions.
• This will allow your doctor to see if baclofen is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.
• Those in recovery can take advantage of the benefits of group therapy and individual therapy.
• As a result, the levels of baclofen in your body when taking it could reach higher than normal levels and cause side effects.

The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Baclofen also known as beta‐4‐chlorophenyl‐gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA-B) is an agonist at the beta subunit of gamma-aminobutyric acid on mono and polysynaptic neurons at the spinal cord level and brain 13. The thinking is that baclofen reduces the release of excitatory baclofen addictive neurotransmitters in the pre-synaptic neurons and stimulates inhibitory neuronal signals in the post-synaptic neurons with resultant relief of spasticity 14.

Baclofen Side Effects

While these programs are not as intensive as residential treatment, they offer individuals the tools and resources they need in order to work toward a life that is free from substance use disorders. It’s important to note that the more severe side effects of baclofen are not as likely to occur as the moderate symptoms. Still, individuals should also consult medical professional advice when it comes to using any sort of medication, including baclofen.

Medical Disclaimer

In the case of baclofen, kidney damage, liver disease, and memory impairment are just some outcomes that could permanently impact your quality of life with baclofen misuse. 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. Oftentimes, people will combine baclofen with central nervous system depressants to increase its effects.

Baclofen has been shown to cause abuse, dependence, and withdrawal. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that many other factors also contribute to addiction. These include a drug’s inherent ability to cause addiction, a person’s genetics, and environmental factors. Abrupt discontinuation of an addictive drug causes many undesirable effects. Withdrawal from this drug can cause hallucinations, seizures, and even death.

Mental Health Resources

The peak concentration of baclofen in the bloodstream occurs 1-3 hours after taking the medication orally. The half-life of baclofen is 3-4 hours in the plasma, and the total shelf life of baclofen after its date of manufacture is 3 years. Only a healthcare provider can give you the spinal injection form of baclofen. Anyone who would want to recover from Baclofen addiction should seek help from the United Recovery Project rehab to benefit from customized treatment. We have inpatient as well as outpatient programs and our aim is to provide the best care and assistance. A medically supervised detox is vital to ensure safety and effectiveness, preventing complications such as severe withdrawal symptoms or relapse.