Side Effects and Adverse Reactions to Baclofen

[Zenstyle]

Oh... I didn't realize you'd posted that here too LR. I thought you were referring to Ameisen's drinking experiment on the other thread.

Yes, obviously double blind controlled studies are desirable. Dr. A tried very hard to get those done but he didn't have enough resources himself to accomplish them and pharmaceutical companies weren't interested as Baclofen had already been patented. I believe these studies will be taking place very soon.

In the meantime, the choice is there for everyone. They can wait until the studies are completed or they can try Baclofen, going on the information that is already in hand.

[tiptronic_ct]

I'm up to 80mg, but the bac has NO effect. Not talking al craving... Just nothing, like taking sugar-coated candies

[Zenstyle]

Tip, it looks like you may be one of the people that need a higher dose. At least I hope that's what it is...

I hope it starts to take effect soon. When did you start on it? i.e. how long has it been in your system for?

[tiptronic_ct]

hey, zennie. I titrated up v quickly since 5 days ago. 1st day 15, 2nd 30, 3rd 50, 4th 60, 5th 80. I'm 1.82m, 78kg.

[billyb]

Here's a side effect: *extreme* sleepiness when taken together with anti-histamines. I literally cannot keep my eyes open.

Definitely don't plan to drive or even be awake if you need to take an allergy pill while on bac.

It might be useful for insomnia (I sometimes take half an allergy pill to knock myself out), but it can be dangerous if you need to be out and about.

[Anna B]

I think this thread is generally a good idea, although i can see the potential for someone to get scared off by the side effects. Then again, a lot of us are getting our bac from online sources and not talking to our doctors, so having info from others about common (and not so common) side effects can be extremely helpful.

I've said this on a previous thread, but my most serious side effect was three days straight of nausea and vomiting immediately after starting on bac. I honestly felt too shitty to even get online to see if this was a known side effect (which it is)!! So I just suffered for three days in confusion. I thought I had done a pretty good job of reading all of the bac posts before I started on it, but I didn't see anyone talking about nausea and vomiting--mainly just sleepiness.

I no longer get nauseous from taking bac (I've been on it for a few weeks now). The only other side effect I've had is that I sleep like a baby (although, like others, have vivid dreams). The dream part I could do w/out, but, as a chronic insomniac who hates taking sleeping pills of any kind, this side effect has been a god send! Even if bac did nothing for my alcoholism, I would continue to take 10mg every night just to have a restful sleep.

[Zenstyle]

Originally Posted by tiptronic_ct

hey, zennie. I titrated up v quickly since 5 days ago. 1st day 15, 2nd 30, 3rd 50, 4th 60, 5th 80. I'm 1.82m, 78kg.

It appears, from our combined "experiences", that the length of time Baclofen has been in your system contributes to the effectiveness of it stopping the cravings in tandem with the dosage you are taking.

This is a very rough guideline, but it is all we have to go on at the moment...

Ameisen's top titration number translated to 3.6mg/kilo daily. His maintenance dose was 1.6mg/kilo daily.

Your range where you will reach your switch at 78kg would therefore be between 125mg/daily and 280mg/daily. (Check my math!)

Like I said, it's a very rough guide. Also, the Baclofen hasn't been in your system for long and that will have some bearing on it's efficacy.

HTH!

[Zenstyle]

p.s. Tip... That's quite a fast titration. Are you experiencing any side effects?

[bernard]

I just ran across this New York study on mixing bac and alcohol.

baclofen is relatively well tolerated and safe when given in combination with intoxicating doses of alcohol.

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
Volume 33 Issue 1, Pages 19 - 3
DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2008.00805.x

Lots of people drink on their bac. But one should use caution, especially at first until you're familiar with your response to it.

[veritas]

Bernard, I think that is the kind of information that is potentialy dangerous when you are dealing with a high risk group of addicts. Its the kind of stuff we love to hear.

I have since had feedback from the people I was with the night I had my reaction. I have no memory of these events. It seems that I was sitting talking, after drinking about 3 glasses of wine, very quickly. I suddenly started vomiting, became incoherant, could not walk and had to be driven home. They were very, very frightened.

Again, I am willing to admit that I am probably sensitive to many drugs. I am also very much the exception in my reaction to bac, but imagine if I had been alone and needing to drive somewhere. If it happened to me, it could happen to others.

As alcoholics we are very selective in our interpretation of warnings. I have on many occasions had alcohol on actifed, flu medicaton, anti biotics... you name it, I have done it.

I was also on Cipralex for a while. Had to stop as I just slept too much and felt I was living in a glove. I drank away as happy as could be.

I have not been put off. Bac works. I am just more cautious. I am taking a lower dose and titrating up slowly. I will probably stop at 30mg and never drink again. I did go to a dinner party on 30mg and felt completely indifferent to the alcohol around me.