title: Tolerability of High-dose Baclofen in the Treatment of Patients with Alcohol Disorders: A Retrospective Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the tolerability of high-dose baclofen taken by patients with alcohol disorders during their first year of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of all patients prescribed baclofen by one general practitioner were examined and all patients who could be contacted were retrospectively interviewed about adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 146 eligible patients, 116 (79%) could be interviewed. Ninety (78%) reported at least one adverse effect (mean number per patient: 2.8 ± 2.7). The mean dosage of baclofen at the onset of the first adverse effect was 83 ± 57 mg/day. The most frequent group of adverse effects involved disruption of the wake-sleep cycle and affected 73 patients (63%). Persistent adverse effects occurred in 62 patients (53%). Eight patients (7%) had adverse effects that led them to stop taking baclofen. Their dosages were <90 mg/day at that time. Alertness disorders and depression were the adverse effects that most frequently led to stopping baclofen. Bouts of somnolence and hypomanic episodes were the most potentially dangerous adverse effects. Women reported significantly more adverse effects than men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-dose baclofen exposes patients with alcohol disorders to many adverse effects. Generally persistent, some adverse effects appear at low doses and may be dangerous.
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine Générale, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France laurent.rigal@parisdescartes.fr.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rigal
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine Générale, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Léa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Legay Hoang
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine Générale, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alexandre-Dubroeucq
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine Générale, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinot
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Interne Cochin, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Le Jeunne
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine Générale, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D001418:Baclofen