Baclofen and gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal

Jennifer L. LeTourneau; Daniel S. Hagg; Stephen M. Smith

doi:10.1007/s12028-008-9062-2

Baclofen and gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal

Jennifer L. LeTourneau, Daniel S. Hagg, Stephen M. Smith

Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Benzodiazepine treatment of life-threatening gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) withdrawal is frequently unsatisfactory. Animal studies suggest strongly that treatment with GABA_B agonists, such as baclofen, will be a more effective strategy. Methods: A case report from the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of the university tertiary care hospital. Results: A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the medical ICU for severe withdrawal symptoms from chronic GHB use. This manifested as delirium, tremor, and seizures despite only small decreases in GHB dose and treatment with benzodiazepines. The addition of baclofen allowed the rapid sequential decreases in the GHB dose without seizure or delirium and resulted in long-term improvement of her tremor. Conclusions: Baclofen, a GABA_B agonist, may be a useful agent in the treatment of severe GHB withdrawal.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	430-433
Number of pages	4
Journal	Neurocritical Care
Volume	8
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-008-9062-2
State	Published - Jun 1 2008

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Keywords

Baclofen
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate dependence
Intention tremor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Clinical Neurology
Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

Cite this

LeTourneau, J. L., Hagg, D. S., & Smith, S. M. (2008). Baclofen and gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal. Neurocritical Care, 8(3), 430-433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-008-9062-2

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10.1007/s12028-008-9062-2