Baclofen and Alcohol-Dependent Patients: A Real Risk of Severe Self-Poisoning.
Baclofen is often prescribed in high doses to fight cravings experienced by alcohol-dependent patients. Such an increase in the availability of baclofen is concerning. This study aimed to determine the change in number and profile of self-poisoning with baclofen over time, as baclofen has become increasingly popular, in order to describe the severity of self-poisoning with baclofen and to focus on co-existing alcohol use disorders, and psychiatric illnesses determine predictors of severity. This was a retrospective study of self-poisoning with baclofen as reported by the western France Poison Control Center (PCC), which represents a population of more than 12 million people from January 2008 to March 2014. One hundred and eleven cases of self-poisoning with baclofen were reported to the western France PCC (62 males and 49 females; average age 39 ± 12). Poisoning severities were as follows: 'null' (nine cases), 'minor' (37 cases), 'moderate' (19 cases) and 'high' (46 cases, including four deaths). The most frequently reported symptoms were neurological (45%) and cardiovascular (27%). The severity was significantly associated with psychiatric disorders (OR = 2.9; p = 0.03). Baclofen, prescribed in high doses, may lead to severe poisoning, particularly in patients with psychiatric illnesses. Authorities should put forward a new policy for prescribing the drug as a treatment for alcohol dependence.
Poison Control Center, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.|UMR 1246 SPHERE, Methods for Patients-Centered Outcomes and Health Research, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.
David
D
Boels
UMR 1246 SPHERE, Methods for Patients-Centered Outcomes and Health Research, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.|Pharmacology Department - Addictovigilance, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.
Caroline
C
Victorri-Vigneau
UMR 1246 SPHERE, Methods for Patients-Centered Outcomes and Health Research, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.|Addictology and Psychiatry Department, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.
Marie
M
Grall-Bronnec
Poison Control Center, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.
Ali
A
Touré
Poison Control Center, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.
Anais
A
Garnier
Pharmacology Department - Laboratory, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.
Alain
A
Turcant
Poison Control Center, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.
Gaël
G
Le Roux
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001418:Baclofen / Q000506:poisoning*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D066249:Craving / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D056687:Off-Label Use; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D001418:Baclofen