Summary
Baclofen is primarily used as a muscle relaxant for severe spasticity and off-label for alcohol dependence. Abrupt discontinuation can cause severe withdrawal symptoms including hallucinations, seizures, delirium, and rebound spasticity. Overdose may result in respiratory depression, coma, or death. Use with extreme caution in individuals with renal impairment as baclofen is predominantly excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Doses above 125 mg carry significant blackout risk.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 10-20mg | 20-50mg | 50-100mg | 100mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 30-75 min | 60-90 min | 1-2 hrs | 1.5-2.5 hrs | 6-12 hrs | 180-0 min |
| Intrathecal | 900-0 min | - | - | - | 60-0 min | 180-0 min |
Tolerance
Build-up
develops over weeks of daily use; withdrawal can cause seizures
Reset
1–2 weeks; must taper to avoid withdrawal
Cross-tolerance
Effects
Positive
- Muscle relaxation
- Physical euphoria
- Pain relief
- Anxiolytic
- Muscle Relaxant
Negative
- Nausea
- Respiratory depression
- Sedation
- Sedative
- Dystaxia
Positive
- Cognitive euphoria
- Anxiety suppression
- Empathy enhancement
- Sociability enhancement
Negative
- Dizziness
- Motor control loss
- Amnesia
- Thought deceleration
- Confusion
- Compulsive redosing
Positive
- Increased music appreciation
- Appetite enhancement
- Increased libido
- Perception of bodily lightness
- Tactile enhancement
Negative
- Disinhibition
- Decreased libido
- Dehydration
- Double vision
- Dulled perception