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Baclofen and gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal.
Jennifer L LeTourneau1, Daniel S Hagg, Stephen M Smith
1Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine and Center for Intensive Care Research, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Biomedical Research Building (UHN-67), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA.
Neurocritical Care
|February 13, 2008
Summary
Baclofen, a GABA(B) agonist, effectively treated severe gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) withdrawal symptoms, including seizures and delirium, when benzodiazepines failed. This suggests baclofen is a promising option for managing GHB withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Intensive Care Medicine
Background:
- Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) withdrawal presents life-threatening symptoms.
- Benzodiazepine treatment for GHB withdrawal is often inadequate.
- Animal studies indicate GABA(B) agonists may offer a superior treatment strategy.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old female patient experienced severe GHB withdrawal, including delirium, tremor, and seizures.
- Standard benzodiazepine treatment failed to manage withdrawal symptoms effectively.
- The patient required intensive medical care in a university tertiary care hospital's ICU.
Findings:
- Addition of baclofen, a GABA(B) agonist, to the treatment regimen.
- Baclofen facilitated rapid, sequential dose reduction of GHB.
- The patient experienced no further seizures or delirium and showed long-term tremor improvement.
Implications:
- Baclofen shows potential as an effective therapeutic agent for severe GHB withdrawal.
- This case report highlights a novel treatment approach for substance withdrawal syndromes.
- Further clinical research is warranted to validate baclofen's efficacy in GHB withdrawal management.
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