Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

[Greg]

Here is the information leaflet produced by drug manufacturer Novartis, manufacturer of Lioresal which was one of the early brands of oral baclofen:

http://www.novartis.com.au/PI_PDF/lrst.pdf

I thought it may be of interest to anyone wanting to know an official manufacturer's advice about baclofen. It was last updated in 2010. Unfortunately it doesn't specify baclofen for alcoholism treatment but at least it does give some indications of potential drug interactions and other information about the drug.

[Murphyx]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

Thanks for that Greg.

Why the fuck have I never seen that before? Normally I always download the information sheets for drugs I'm using. Why I didn't search it out for a drug I'm using at doses way over normal levels, I don't know. Maybe it was because I was a high functioning alcoholic rapidly descending into a ... what's the opposite? A low functioning alcoholic?

Anyway, lots of interesting stuff there regarding side effects including:

Patients suffering not only from spasticity but also from psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, depressive or manic disorders or confusional states should be treated cautiously with Lioresal and kept under careful surveillance, because exacerbations of these conditions may occur.
...
In patients with a history of psychiatric illness, cortical or organic brain disorders or with cerebrovascular disorders (eg. stroke), as well as in elderly patients, adverse reactions may be more serious.
...
It is often difficult to distinguish whether some of these are drug effects or manifestations of the diseases under treatment. Psychiatric manifestations can occur in acute or chronic toxicity due to baclofen

But it also lists hypotension as a SE, when we know from several people's experience that the opposite is true.

So yet again we're left fumbling for answers.

[bleep]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

Murph, this would be a dreary forum indeed if there was a clearly defined protocol that didn't result in any SE's, just a simple two week course of baclofen and a silent switch, then on with life!

The fumbling is half the fun.

[LadyLush]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

Bleep, Murph, All,

Wow, I think I already figured this out...I mean the way it effects the brain and all.
Hopefully a doctor would never prescribe it to a patient with such and if I saw this in myself I would recognize the issues and go another path.

Thanks

Lady

[Lo0p]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

So that's what's wrong with me... :H

[redhead77]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

Why does it say that it should be used cautiously in alcoholism?

[Guest]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

redhead77;1067657 wrote: Why does it say that it should be used cautiously in alcoholism?

That's an interesting one I agree. I wondered if it was due to the additive effect?There is also mention of it increasing depression of breathing - something I was concerned about if it was taken in conjunction with librium et al, which also lists the same.

I was looking at this large chunk here;

Common: Respiratory depression, light-headedness, lassitude, exhaustion,
confusional state, dizziness, personality changes, vertigo, headache,
insomnia, euphoric mood, depression, muscular weakness, ataxia,
tremor, hallucinations, nightmares, myalgia, nystagmus, dry mouth,
tinnitus

I'd say I have just about everything in that list although I've always had bad nightmares. I also saw hypotension listed, something I'm pretty sure baclofen has brought out in me and was possibly the reason I couldn't give a blood sample the other week.

[Seethepony]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

"Why does it say that it should be used cautiously in alcoholism?"

Cos it might ruin your alcoholism...

[Toro]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

redhead77;1067657 wrote: Why does it say that it should be used cautiously in alcoholism?

They say that for every drug that can have a sedative side.

[Greg]

Official Lioresal (oral baclofen) information by Novartis

I'd say the information sheet is a general guide only, and many or most of the things listed in the sheet are only possible issues, and some are probably rare. I posted the link mainly to show potential interactions with other drugs, because most people have to take baclofen without guidance from a doctor or pharmacist.

As Toro said, alcohol is listed as being contra-indicated for almost every drug that has sedation as a side effect. I guess they have to be ultra cautious and just include every possible effect. Fortunately neither Dr Ameisen nor Dr Levin seem to think that drinking is a barrier to the use of baclofen.

Edit : As pointed out in another thread, information about baclofen would be written under the assumption that a person is only taking up to the usual maximum daily dose, which is 75-100 mg according to the Novartis sheet. I am not aware of any document outlining effects or interactions when taking bac at doses such as 200/250/300 mg per day, in fact this is probably unknown except by neurologists and other specialist doctors who have prescribed very large doses to patients with illnesses such as spasticity and multiple sclerosis. Dr Ameisen says in his book that he consulted with a neurologist he knew before using very high doses; presumably Dr Levin is one professional who would have such information if needed.