Baclofen and Alcohol-dependent Patients: A Real Risk of Severe Self-Poisoning.

Boels et al., Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2017

Auteurs : Boels D, Victorri-Vigneau C, Grall-Bronnec M, Touré A, Garnier A, Turcant A,
Le Roux G

Résumé :
- 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.

Référence : Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2017 Mar 19. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12779