Baclofen is often prescribed in high doses to fight cravings experienced by alcohol-dependent patients. Such an increase in the availability of baclofen is concerning. This study aimed to determine the change in number and profile of self-poisoning with baclofen over time, as baclofen has become increasingly popular, in order to describe the severity of self-poisoning with baclofen and to focus on co-existing alcohol use disorders, and psychiatric illnesses determine predictors of severity. This was a retrospective study of self-poisoning with baclofen as reported by the western France Poison Control Center (PCC), which represents a population of more than 12 million people from January 2008 to March 2014. One hundred and eleven cases of self-poisoning with baclofen were reported to the western France PCC (62 males and 49 females; average age 39 ± 12). Poisoning severities were as follows: 'null' (nine cases), 'minor' (37 cases), 'moderate' (19 cases) and 'high' (46 cases, including four deaths). The most frequently reported symptoms were neurological (45%) and cardiovascular (27%). The severity was significantly associated with psychiatric disorders (OR = 2.9; p = 0.03). Baclofen, prescribed in high doses, may lead to severe poisoning, particularly in patients with psychiatric illnesses. Authorities should put forward a new policy for prescribing the drug as a treatment for alcohol dependence.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.12779 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Baclofen-related deaths in Australia 2000-2022.
Forensic Sci Int
December 2024
National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
Article Synopsis
- Baclofen, prescribed for muscle spasms in Australia, has been linked to 102 deaths from 2000-2022, with a majority involving intentional toxicity and a significant presence of mental health and substance use issues among victims.
- The average age of those who died was about 45.6 years, with 51% being male, and 73.5% had documented mental health problems.
- The study highlights the importance of caution in prescribing baclofen due to its potential for misuse, dependency, and overdose.
Recommendations from the EXTRIP workgroup on extracorporeal treatment for baclofen poisoning.
Kidney Int
October 2021
Emergency Medicine Department, Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux (CISSS) de la Montérégie-Centre, Hôpital Charles-LeMoyne, Greenfield Park, Québec, Canada; Academic Emergency Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre Antipoison du Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada. Electronic address:
Baclofen toxicity results from intentional self-poisoning (acute baclofen poisoning) or accumulation of therapeutic dose in the setting of impaired kidney function. Standard care includes baclofen discontinuation, respiratory support and seizure treatment. Use of extracorporeal treatments (ECTRs) is controversial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBaclofen self-poisoning: Is renal replacement therapy efficient in patient with normal kidney function?
Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med
December 2020
Western Poison Control Center, University Hospital, 4 rue Larrey, 49100 Angers, France.
Aims: We aimed at assessing the effectiveness of renal replacement therapy in patients severely self-poisoned with baclofen and with normal kidney function.
Methods: A population pharmacokinetic model was built using analytical data extracted from 26 baclofen poisoning cases reported to a French Poison Centre: 8 patients underwent renal replacement therapy (RRT), 18 did not. In the RRT group, 2 patients suffered from kidney failure.
Toxicological considerations in the prescription of baclofen for the treatment of substance use disorders.
Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol
April 2020
APHM, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Hôpital Sainte Marguerite Pharmacologie Clinique CAP-TV, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France.
: For many years, applications for baclofen have widened in the treatment of substance abuse disorder (SUD), mainly alcohol use disorder, with a growing rate of off-label prescriptions in Europe. Clinical effects seem to be both a decrease of craving and anxiety, leading to a decrease of drug or alcohol consumption. We described baclofen poisoning circumstances, therapeutic options and outcomes when used in substance use disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!