Does baclofen need to be tapered?

Does baclofen need to be tapered?

Caution should be exercised when reducing or stopping long term baclofen treatment. The Committee on Safety of Medicines recommends tapering the dose over 1-2 weeks, or more slowly if symptoms occur.

What are symptoms of too much Baclofen?

The signs of baclofen overdose include:

• Drowsiness.
• Lightheadedness.
• Dizziness.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Seizures.
• Loss of consciousness or coma.
• Lower than normal body temperature.

Can baclofen be stopped suddenly?

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.

Can you build a tolerance to baclofen?

The oral dose of baclofen used to treat spasticity ranges from 30-100 mg/day in divided amounts. Tolerance may develop, and the drug must be tapered slowly to prevent withdrawal effects.

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.

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.

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.

How long does the half life of baclofen last?

Even though the half-life is just about 5,5 hours, symptoms can last for weeks. Psychological symptoms like anxiety can persist for months in some cases and significantly affect the patient’s quality of life. It is quite clear how important it is to be aware of how to stop taking Baclofen.