Baclofen and Withdrawal

Baclofen for GHB Withdrawal

Baclofen is used in medically assisted detox for GHB withdrawals. A case study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that a woman with severe GHB use disorder with intense withdrawal symptoms was able to withdraw from GHB successfully using Baclofen alone. A study published in CNS Drugs conducted on 107 patients found that relapse and dropout rates fell from 50% to 24% when Baclofen was used.

Other Uses for Baclofen

Baclofen is typically prescribed to treat muscle spasms. It is usually taken three times a day in pill form with food, but doses are entirely dependent on why the drug is being prescribed and are individualized for the patient. Take it as prescribed by your doctor, making sure to take it on a regular schedule at the same times each day. Baclofen can sometimes have its own withdrawal symptoms including seizures and hallucinations.

Side Effects of Baclofen

Some possible side effects of Baclofen include:

• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Increased urination
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Difficulty sleeping
• Headache

Precautions for Baclofen

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies before taking Baclofen. Make sure your physician knows your medical history, especially if it involves mental and mood disorders (particularly schizophrenia), kidney disease, or brain disorders. They should also know about any other medications you are taking.

Don’t operate machinery while using Baclofen, avoid mixing it with alcohol, and tell your doctor if you are using marijuana.

Unless told to by a physician, don’t use Baclofen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Baclofen and Other Drugs

Baclofen can interact with other drugs, so your physician should know if you are using:

• Opioids
• Alcohol
• Antihistamines
• Marijuana
• Cough relievers
• Sleep medication
• Anxiety medication
• Other muscle relaxants