Citation

Boels D, Victorri-Vigneau C, Grall-Bronnec M, Touré A, Garnier A, Turcant A, Le Roux G. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2017; 121(4): 353-359.

Affiliation

Poison Control Center, Angers University Hospital.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Nordic Pharmacological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/bcpt.12779

PMID

28317271

Abstract

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, since 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. 111 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: "null" (9 cases), "minor" (37 cases), "moderate" (19 cases) and "high" (46 cases, including 4 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. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol; baclofen; poisoning; psychiatric illness