title: Delirium associated with baclofen withdrawal: a review of common presentations and management strategies.
abstract: The authors reviewed 23 published cases of psychiatric symptoms in association with baclofen withdrawal. Delirium, and not other functional psychiatric conditions, arose secondarily from abrupt baclofen cessation. Vulnerability to baclofen-withdrawal delirium appeared to be greater in individuals who received chronic baclofen therapy. Baclofen-withdrawal delirium can be difficult to distinguish from delirium of other etiologies, and unrecognized and inadequately treated baclofen-withdrawal delirium is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Complete resolution of delirium symptoms was possible with reinstatement of baclofen. The clinical management of patients experiencing baclofen-withdrawal delirium includes supportive interventions to reduce complications of delirium until symptoms resolve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Erie County Medical Center, 462 Grider Street Buffalo, NY 14215, USA. rleomd@aol.com
authors.forename: Raphael J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Leo
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baer
mesh_terms: D001418:Baclofen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen