How long to feel effects from baclofen?

[Chrysalis1]

I am on my fifth day of taking baclofen, 10mg three times a day now, and I'm wondering when I can expect to start to feel the benefits. I feel I'm just going downhill and really want it to stop.

[_serenity_]

Good morning Chrysalis!

It is hard to say how long it will take, but you are on the right path. Baclofen affects users in wildly different ways - some people reach the "switch" at very low doses while others have to go up to 300 mgs/day or higher. My only advice would be: slow and steady wins the race. Don't try to go up in dosage too fast; the side effects can sneak up and floor you. What titration schedule are you using?

It took me exactly two months to reach indifference, at 190 mgs/day. It was miraculous. Keep posting here (and on the new troll-free medication forum when it goes live). You will get so much support. We are all cheering you on. :hug:

[Chrysalis1]

Hi serenity, I had to hunt around a bit, as my doctor just told me to take as many as I wanted but everything I've read says to take it slowly. I took 3 x 5mg for three days, now on 10mg, and I was looking to increase by 10mg every 3-5 days. Does this sound reasonable? I haven't felt any side effects so far.

Thanks, Chrys

[terryk]

Hi serenity, I had to hunt around a bit, as my doctor just told me to take as many as I wanted but everything I've read says to take it slowly. I took 3 x 5mg for three days, now on 10mg, and I was looking to increase by 10mg every 3-5 days. Does this sound reasonable? I haven't felt any side effects so far.

Thanks, Chrys

Hi Chrys-
Please have a look at the Prescribing Guide for Baclofen in the Treatment of Alcoholism, it was written by French physicians as guide for other physicians - it is indispensible. It took me 7 months of increasing by about 10mg per week to find indifference at 270mg/day. I experienced some pretty hefty side-effects during my titration, but I'm happy to report they've long since resolved themselves and I have been sober (though not abstinent) for for more than 5 years. Good luck, and please be sure to check out the new, medication-centric forum when it goes live next month. -tk

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Hi serenity, I had to hunt around a bit, as my doctor just told me to take as many as I wanted but everything I've read says to take it slowly. I took 3 x 5mg for three days, now on 10mg, and I was looking to increase by 10mg every 3-5 days. Does this sound reasonable? I haven't felt any side effects so far.

Thanks, Chrys

Yep, I think that's reasonable. It's about what is suggested in the Prescribing Guide that Terryk linked in his post.

Here's the thing, though, Chrys: Everyone is tempted to go up faster and to see results sooner than they do. I've never met anyone who increased steadily without trying to rush it just because they didn't feel side effects. (Maybe a couple of people, I don't want to exaggerate too much! Ha!)

I really recommend, though, that you stick with your schedule. As Serenity said, the amount of time it takes varies a great deal. It took me 4 months to become indifferent, but I noticed a difference in my drinking after about 2 months, when I was taking about 140mg/day.

The last thing is, don't let the big numbers scare you. It takes what it takes! And many people find indifference at much lower levels. So hang in there!
:hug:

[_serenity_]

Hi serenity, I had to hunt around a bit, as my doctor just told me to take as many as I wanted but everything I've read says to take it slowly. I took 3 x 5mg for three days, now on 10mg, and I was looking to increase by 10mg every 3-5 days. Does this sound reasonable? I haven't felt any side effects so far.

Thanks, Chrys

I agree that this is a reasonable schedule. Check out terryk's link as well. If you do start feeling side effects, you can always slow down or stay at a given dosage for longer if need be. My main side effects were dizziness and nausea, but they were bearable. Good luck :happy2:

[Chrysalis1]

Thanks everyone, sensible advice. I'm not overly patient but will stick to the schedule and keep my fingers crossed.

Chrys

[StuckinLA]

It takes a while, and it can be difficult. But being actively alcoholic ain't exactly easy either. If you can go through that rough hell, you can go through baclofen. Just read around MWO and read terryK's link, take it slow, and you'll be fine.