title: Unintentional baclofen intoxication in the management of alcohol use disorder.
abstract: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using baclofen for the management of alcohol use disorder. This off-label indication usually involves high doses of the medication. We report a case of severe baclofen overdose in a 66-year-old man. The patient was found severely agitated, and he presented with delirium and auditory hallucinations. At hospital admission, his daily dose was 180 mg baclofen. He was admitted to the intensive care unit for sedation and supportive care. When sedation was withdrawn, the patient presented with a normal neurological status. In this clinical context, baclofen intoxication was suspected. This was confirmed by measuring blood baclofen levels. This intoxication was probably mediated by a combination of risk factors including a high daily dose of baclofen and acute renal failure, conducive to drug accumulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Riviera-Chablais Hospital, Vevey, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reichmuth
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacie des Hôpitaux de l'Est Lémanique, Vevey, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anne-Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Riviera-Chablais Hospital, Vevey, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tagan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003693:Delirium / Q000209:etiology; D019468:Disease Management; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056687:Off-Label Use
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen