How do you wean yourself off of baclofen?
If the baclofen is to be ceased for any reason, the dose should be weaned down over 1-2 weeks. A ballpark figure would be 10mg/day decrease for doses over 100mg/day and 5-10mg/day for doses under 100mg/day.
Can baclofen be stopped abruptly?
You should not stop using baclofen suddenly or you could have serious or fatal withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of baclofen?
Withdrawal from baclofen can have clinical manifestations that include agitation, insomnia, confusion, delusions, hallucinations, seizures, visual changes, psychosis, dyskinesia, hyperthermia, and increased spasticity.
Does baclofen need to be tapered?
Therefore, a person who is being switched to intrathecal baclofen must still be tapered off their oral baclofen or they will withdraw! Oral baclofen withdrawal is usually easily treatable by restarting baclofen and introducing a slow tapered wean if discontinuation is desired.
What are the signs of withdrawal from baclofen?
If you experience one or more of the signs of baclofen withdrawal, call your doctor immediately for emergency care. Early warning signs for withdrawal include: If not treated, early symptoms of withdrawal can progress to advanced symptoms of withdrawal. Symptoms of advanced withdrawal are high fever, changed mental status, and muscle stiffness.
When to use an intrathecal pump for baclofen withdrawal?
The use of an intrathecal pump is to increase the amount of the drug reaching the central nervous system of the patient during care (used often in severe cases of spinal cord injuries or non-responsive spasticity). Baclofen withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe and can often be very similar to alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence.
What happens if you go cold turkey on baclofen?
Do not attempt to go cold turkey! You might risk a dangerous withdrawal reaction should you discontinue baclofen without any medical supervision which could potentially result in life-threatening baclofen withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations and seizures.
Who are the authors of baclofen withdrawal research?
Acute intrathecal baclofen withdrawal: a brief review of treatment options Neurocrit Care. 2011 Feb;14(1):103-8.doi: 10.1007/s12028-010-9422-6. Authors James C Ross 1 , Aaron M Cook, Gary L Stewart, Brenda G Fahy Affiliation 1Department of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph Health System, Lexington, KY 40504, USA.
