how can you get over them
What are withdrawal symptoms of baclofen?
Question posted by wallie on 12 March 2010
Last updated on 18 October 2021 by mlpartridge
5 Answers
mlpartridge
18 Oct 2021
I realize it's been 11 years since this question was posed, but maybe my answer can help someone searching for this information, as I was.
I took 20mg Baclofen 2x a day for 2 months before neck surgery, as my PCP thought it would help better than Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine). However, when released from the hospital, my caregiver only had the medications prescribed by my surgeon, which included Flexeril, for my after-surgery care. I had no idea that abruptly stopping the baclofen would cause withdrawal symptoms as I mistakenly thought the Flexeril was the same thing. On the 4th day without taking Baclofen, I was taken by ambulance to the hospital with extreme confusion, fever, severe muscle pain in my neck (muscles basically locked up).
At the hospital, they had no information about the baclofen and diagnosed an opioid overdose (I was taking 7.5 Narco 3x day, overseen by my caregiver) so that was not the issue and no one asked my caregiver, and I couldn't even tell them my name!
Therefore, because of misdiagnosis, I received NO pain meds (on days 4-7 post radical bone spur removal and nerve manipulation in my neck), for 3 DAYS. Which meant the extreme pain continued along with the symptoms of withdrawal. So I basically spent 3 days in hell in the hospital, begging for pain relief, while the hospital held to the overdose theory and gave me NONE of my post-surgery meds.
Upon returning home again, I resumed the baclofen 2x a day until I came across this information about withdrawals. I will now slowly taper off until safe to stop and will be sure to inform my surgeon and tell the hospital they f'd up!
lhgamer
25 March 2015
Withdrawal symptoms to Baclofen are hallucinations and seizures. There have also been many (but not majority of patients) reports of more severe muscle spasms, stiffness, etc. Not everyone will experience them, but studies have shown it has a higher chance of effecting people with depression, epilepsy, neuropathic diseases, etc. You have to be cautious when tapering off the medication and not stop the treatment abrubtly. Withdrawal symptoms tend to show 1-3 days after stopping medication. I've researched baclofen quite a bit as I have been prescribed it recently for muscle spasms and have personally decided not to take it.
The best way of dealing with the withdrawal symtoms are by talking with your doctor about other medications to help the symptoms -- i've heard anxiety medications have been used, but there are doctors out there who have said otherwise about this treatment. The best you can do is have your doctor monitor you closely while lowering your dose slowly.
**i've also read about nightmares being a side effect -- usually coinciding with the visual and auditory hallucinations
vet29
19 Oct 2012
hi i am on baclofen and im tring to get off of it i am going through withdrawls i know its a muscle relaxer but the truth to this ? is it depends on the person i for one cant stay awake i am throwing up totally sick to my stomach and i got tremors the only way to get through this is if you stop taking this med is one tapper off of it and stand strong about not taking it i am struggling with this because i know if i take it some of these side effects will end once again it depends on the person my sister also takes this med and she has no problems if she misses a dose i on the other hand do i hope this answers your ? ( i wish id never took this) do whatever is the best for you ill keep u in my prayers and i hope u dont go through the hell im in
Inactive
13 March 2010
Because this is a muscle relaxer it should not be stopped abruptly without tappering off. Some people do fine with no side effects but there is always that chance that your could have a seizure. It is best if you and your doctor work as a team when decreasing or discontinuing any type of medication. For more information visit https://www.drugs.com. Type your medication in the search box and it will give you the information you are looking for. Hope this helps...
mpvt
12 March 2010
Shouldn't be any as it's just a muscle relaxer...
Related topics
Further information
- Baclofen uses and safety info
- Baclofen prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Baclofen (detailed)
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