Baclofen (Baclofen) - Summary

BACLOFEN SUMMARY

Baclofen USP is a muscle relaxant and antispastic. Its chemical name is 4-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-butanoic acid.

Baclofen tablets are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity.

Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function.

Baclofen may also be of some value in patients with spinal cord injuries and other spinal cord diseases.

Baclofen is not indicated in the treatment of skeletal muscle spasm resulting from rheumatic disorders.

The efficacy of baclofen in stroke, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson's disease has not been established and, therefore, it is not recommended for these conditions.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Baclofen

Does the presence of a hiatal hernia affect the efficacy of the reflux inhibitor baclofen during add-on therapy? [2009.07]
OBJECTIVES: Reflux inhibitors, like the gamma-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA(B)) receptor agonist, baclofen, block transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) and are proposed as an add-on therapy in patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-resistant gastroesophageal reflux. However, as other mechanisms of reflux become more important in the presence of a hiatal hernia (HH), the efficacy of reflux inhibitors to reduce acid and non-acid exposure may be hampered. Therefore, we compared the effect of baclofen in patients with no HH (-HH) and those with a large HH during PPI treatment... CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that baclofen is also effective in patients with GERD with +HH, further underscoring the potential of reflux inhibitors as treatment of GERD.

Efficacy of intrathecal baclofen therapy in children with intractable spastic cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial. [2009.05]
BACKGROUND: Intractable spasticity can be treated effectively with continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen. Because evidence for its use in the treatment of children with spastic cerebral palsy is lacking, we conducted a randomised controlled trial. AIMS: To test whether continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen is effective in comparison with standard treatment only... CONCLUSION: The results of this randomised controlled trial establish continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen to be effective in carefully selected children with problems caused by intractable spastic cerebral palsy.

Effectiveness and safety of baclofen for maintenance of alcohol abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients with liver cirrhosis: randomised, double-blind controlled study. [2007.12.08]
BACKGROUND: Intervention to achieve alcohol abstinence represents the most effective treatment for alcohol-dependent patients with liver cirrhosis; however, anticraving drugs might worsen liver disease. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of baclofen in achieving and maintaining alcohol abstinence in patients with liver cirrhosis... INTERPRETATION: Baclofen is effective at promoting alcohol abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients with liver cirrhosis. The drug is well tolerated and could have an important role in treatment of these individuals.

Dysfunctional voiding confirmed by transdermal perineal electromyography, and its effective treatment with baclofen in women with lower urinary tract symptoms: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. [2007.09]
OBJECTIVES To assess the activity of baclofen, a potent gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist, against dysfunctional voiding (DV) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a clinical trial, as DV is a leading cause of LUTS in women, but there is no effective treatment... These encouraging results suggest that baclofen could be used for treating DV in women.

Intrathecal baclofen in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study. [2007.09]
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy can be very effective in the treatment of intractable spasticity, but its effectiveness and safety have not yet been thoroughly studied in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aims of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study were to select children eligible for continuous ITB infusion, to assess the effective ITB bolus dose, and to evaluate the effects, side effects, and complications...

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Clinical Trials Related to Baclofen

Comparative Bioavailability Study of Baclofen 20 mg Tablets in Healthy Male Volunteers / Fasting State [Completed]
The objective of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence of Genpharm's baclofen tablets following a single, oral 20 mg (1 x 20 mg) dose compared to the Baclofen USP (Watson Laboratories Inc., USA) administered under fasting conditions. Twenty-seven (27) healthy, light-, non- or ex-smoking subjects of at least 18 a years of age were randomized, in this two-period, two-treatment crossover bioequivalence study conducted by Eric Sicard, M. D. at Algorithme Pharma Inc. Montreal, Canada.

Statistical analysis of the data reveals that 90% confidence intervals are within the acceptable bioequivalent range of 80% and 125% for the natural log transformed parameters AUCT, AUCI and Cmax. This study demonstrates that Genpharm's baclofen 20 mg tablets are bioequivalent to Baclofen USP 20 mg tablets (Watson Laboratories Inc., USA) administered under fasting conditions.

Treating Alcohol Withdrawal With Oral Baclofen [Completed]
The purpose of this study is determine if subjects with alcohol withdrawal who receive oral baclofen, plus standard benzodiazepine therapy, will experience less severe withdrawal symptoms than those who receive placebo plus standard benzodiazepine therapy. Subjects with alcohol withdrawal syndrome(AWS)who receive baclofen plus standard benzodiazepine therapy will experience fewer complications of AWS (as measured by use of additional sedatives, restraints, and/or ICU admissions) compared with subjects who receive placebo plus standard benzodiazepine therapy.

Efficacy of Baclofen in the Treatment of Alcohol Addiction [Completed]
Intervention to achieve alcohol abstinence represents the most effective treatment for alcoholic patients with liver cirrhosis. However no trials have evaluated the efficacy of anti-craving drugs in these patients because of the concern that these medications might worsen liver disease. Baclofen is effective to reduce alcohol craving improving abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients. It is mainly eliminated by kidney. No hepatic side-effects have been reported in treated patients. The present study investigates the efficacy and safety of baclofen in achieving and maintaining abstinence in alcoholic cirrhotic patients.

Effectiveness of Baclofen in the Treatment of People With Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder [Active, not recruiting]
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug baclofen in reducing binge eating and associated food cravings in people with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder.

Will the Use of Baclofen Reduce Cocaine Use in Patients With Cocaine Dependence? [Active, not recruiting]
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant. Cocaine dependence is a significant public health problem associated with serious medical, psychiatric, social and economic consequences. In 1997, an estimated 1. 5 million Americans were chronic cocaine users; in 1999, the Office of National Drug Control Policy estimated the number of chronic cocaine users in U. S. at 3. 6 million. However, despite intensive investment of resources and some promising data from a recent trial with Selegiline, no medications so far, have demonstrated clear evidence of efficacy for the treatment of cocaine dependence.

This study investigated a new drug, Baclofen, as a potential medication for cocaine dependency. Each subject was assigned either to the Baclofen group or a matched placebo (or dummy medication) group by chance, after a 2-week screening period. The treatment period was 8 weeks long, when the medication was administered orally, with follow-up assessments for 4 weeks after completion of the treatment period. The main objective of this study was to assess the suitability and safety of Baclofen to treat the craving of cocaine use among the heavy cocaine users.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Baclofen review by 51 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		multiple sclerosis
Dosage & duration:		10 mg taken daily for the period of still taking it. started about 5-7 years
Other conditions:		acid reflux, heart beat problems
Other drugs taken:		lopressor, nexium
		Reported Results
Benefits:		i could sleep at night. my ms caused tightness everywhere, so i had alot of sleepless nights. lack of sleep made everything worse w/ my ms
Side effects:		a little tired in the am ,but nothing horrible
Comments:		10 mg at nite b4 bed