title: Failure of absorption of baclofen after rectal administration.
abstract: We wished to determine the degree to which baclofen was absorbed from an aqueous vehicle after rectal administration. A comparison was made to absorption after oral administration. After oral administration, the baclofen half-life was 2.3 to 3.4 hours and peak serum concentrations were achieved from 1 to 2.1 hours after administration. No measurable absorption was observed after rectal administration of the drug in any subject. Rectal administration of baclofen is not a clinically sound treatment option when oral administration of the drug is not possible. For patients receiving chronic baclofen therapy, other medications such as a benzodiazepine should be considered at times when oral administration of medication is not possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Kriel
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Krach
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gormley
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones-Saete
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D001418:Baclofen