Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

now there's a surprise!
bump straight back at you!

[Bruunhilde]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

I thought a bump just meant a guy was happy.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

I guess that, too! In terms of the forum, though, it's to move the page to the top of the heap. Hope it's a good day, Fletch. Will check in tonight.

[Pride before Fall]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Latest randomized clinical trial; Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
Early View (Articles online in advance of print)
Published Online: 21 Jul 2010


Efficacy and Safety of Baclofen for Alcohol Dependence: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
James C. Garbutt, Alexei B. Kampov-Polevoy, Robert Gallop, Linda Kalka-Juhl, and Barbara A. Flannery
From the Department of Psychiatry and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (JCG, ABKP, LKJ, BAF), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Research Triangle International (BAF), Baltimore, Maryland; and West Chester University (RG), West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Correspondence to Reprint requests: James C. Garbutt, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#7160, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7160; Tel.: 919-966-4652; Fax: 919-966-5628; E-mail:jc_garbutt@med.unc.edu
Copyright ? 2010 Research Society on Alcoholism
KEYWORDS
Baclofen ? Alcoholism ? Placebo-Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background: Recent clinical trials and case-reports indicate that baclofen, a GABAB agonist, may have efficacy for alcohol dependence. Baclofen has been shown to enhance abstinence, to reduce drinking quantity, to reduce craving, and to reduce anxiety in alcohol-dependent individuals in 2 placebo-controlled trials in Italy. However, the clinical trial data with baclofen is limited. The purpose of the present study was to test the efficacy and tolerability of baclofen in alcohol dependence in the United States.

Methods: The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study comparing 30 mg/d of baclofen to placebo over 12 weeks of treatment and utilizing 8 sessions of BRENDA, a low-intensity psychosocial intervention. One hundred and twenty-one subjects were screened to yield 80 randomized subjects (44 men) with randomization balanced for gender. Percent heavy drinking days was the primary outcome measure with other drinking outcomes, anxiety levels, and craving as secondary outcomes. Tolerability was examined.

Results: Seventy-six percent of subjects completed the study. No difference by drug condition was seen in percentage of heavy drinking days where on-average rates were 25.5% (?23.6%) for placebo and 25.9% (?23.2%) for baclofen during treatment (t73 = 0.59, p = 0.56). Similarly, no differences were seen by drug condition in percentage of days abstinent, time to first drink, or time to relapse to heavy drinking. Baclofen was associated with a significant reduction in state anxiety (F1,73 = 5.39, p = 0.02). Baclofen was well tolerated with only 2 individuals stopping baclofen because of adverse events. There were no serious adverse events.

Conclusions: Baclofen, a GABAB agonist, represents a possible new pharmacotherapeutic approach to alcohol dependence. Despite encouraging preclinical data and prior positive clinical trials with baclofen in Italy, the current trial did not find evidence that baclofen is superior to placebo in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Additional clinical trial work is necessary to establish whether baclofen does or does not have therapeutic efficacy in alcohol dependence and, if it does, what factors are predictive of response.

[tiptronic_ct]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Thanks for posting that, PbF

I wonder when we will see a similar high-dose study... 30mg p.d. is like giving out Smarties (similar to M&M's)

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Yep, 30mg is quite like throwing a few gumdrops to a sweets addict.

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

I feel like calling Professor Garbutt just to let him know how much of a dumbass he is. Does he only read his own research? I wouldn't be surprised. What a waste of time and money.

Pride before Fall;920529 wrote: Additional clinical trial work is necessary to establish whether baclofen does or does not have therapeutic efficacy in alcohol dependence and, if it does, what factors are predictive of response.

Dose.

Take a hint from anyone else in the world who's doing it dude...

[PhoenixRising]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Lo0p;921500 wrote: I feel like calling Professor Garbutt just to let him know how much of a dumbass he is. Does he only read his own research? I wouldn't be surprised. What a waste of time and money.



Dose.

Take a hint from anyone else in the world who's doing it dude...

Lo0p, you crack me up. Seriously. And I STILL can't believe you gulp down 200mg at a pop. Yikers.

[PortabelloRoad]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Hi again
I haven’t been here for a while. Forgive me if this posting is too long. I’ve quite a lot to say.
Firstly, thank you so much to all of you who have sent me private messages since my first visit to mywayout. I cannot tell you how much they have meant to me.
Once I decided to start baclofen, I decided to make a whole fresh start in my new life without my beloved husband. I decided to tell my children about my ‘wee problem’ and what I intended to do about it. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I was amazed by their reaction. My eldest said that he had pretty well guessed the seriousness. My youngest had an inkling of what I was going through. My middle one took it very badly, but has come through it with the help of the others. They are now totally behind me, which has probably saved my life.
We decided (or should I say they decided!!) that I would spend a week or so with each of them once I got started on baclofen so that they could support me.
My eldest son is a bit of a computer expert and has taken me through this forum and how to negotiate it and post on it. I know understand quite a lot of your jargon, including what a bump is. That took me a while! I have decided not to start my own thread (see, I told you I was getting the hang of it!) as I don’t think anybody would be interested to read what I would think would be merely my own ‘diary’. My son has suggested I put my messages on a few more widely read threads.
When my baclofen arrived, there were absolutely no instructions with it. I really didn’t know what to do. Thankfully, most of you advised me to titrate up (there I go again!) very slowly. I was so glad of this advice, as I have had some terrible effects from it. Two of you advised me to go to the baclofen4alcoholism.com web site for information. I’m so glad you did. My son initially, and me since, have had lots of help from Phil. We have sent him so many e-mails and he has explained so much. It seems that my side effects are quite common. I’ve had twitching in my hands, funny visual things, horrible nightmares. I’ve even wet the bed! I have been so tired I can’t tell you. And having ‘I’m not me’ feelings every day.
Anyway, with reassurance from him, and the support of my family, I have come through all that, and I now feel great. I am now on 90mg a day, which I mess around with in terms of timing, depending upon how I feel. I’m not free of the demon booze yet, but I drink much less. I do it openly with no shame or guilt (if those are the right words), and I most definitely don’t have the all consuming need that I did only 6 weeks ago. I am absolutely getting a great deal of control back. It isn’t leading me anywhere near as much as it was. Phil said that this was a very good sign so early on.
Anyway, that is where I am right now. If you wish, I shall keep you informed from time to time.
Mags

[PortabelloRoad]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Hi
Had a ton of pm responses after yesterday. Replying to them all is like a breath of fresh air and very therapeutic.
Thanks.
Mags

[PhoenixRising]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

PortabelloRoad;926012 wrote: Hi
Had a ton of pm responses after yesterday. Replying to them all is like a breath of fresh air and very therapeutic.
Thanks.
Mags

You deserve it, Sweet Pea. Hang in there. :l

-P.

[tiptronic_ct]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Bump

[mama bear]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

I am so happy for PR!!!
I am taking the bac too..up to 60 mg...about to go to 80

[Light Of Daz]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

mama bear;929403 wrote: ...I am taking the bac too..up to 60 mg...about to go to 80

I experienced a pretty big difference (positive) once I adjusted to the 80mg. Hope you get the same benefit. I am now at 90mg (day 3) and honestly not sure I need to keep going up. My flatmate drinks and I can now sit right next to him watching TV and not be phased by his drinking, nor want one myself. I perhaps am at the "switch". I weigh 145 lbs, FWIW. Going to stay on 90mg/day for now, thought to see if what I'm feeling lasts.

The only SE I experienced going up was a bit of dizziness, and lack of coordination for a day or two, but then all things were normal again.

[PhoenixRising]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

mama bear;929403 wrote: I am so happy for PR!!!
I am taking the bac too..up to 60 mg...about to go to 80

You mean you're going to go up 20mg at once?? I hope not Mama, that's a huge jump. Try going up by 10 for 4 days then up to 80.