[Plasma cortisol levels after acute administration of baclofen]

Plasma cortisol levels after acute administration of Baclofen, a Gaba agonist drug, were evaluated in eight healthy volunteer subjects. After 10 mg. of such drug, cortisol levels did not change appreciably. On the contrary after 20 mg. Baclofen elicited a rise in cortisol plasma levels. Baclofen increases striatal levels of dopamine. Therefore it is possible that metabolic effects of the drug are a consequence of increased levels of dopamine.