Baclofen Uses in Clinical Practice

Non-FDA Approved Uses and Safety Considerations

• Baclofen has been studied for alcohol abstinence maintenance in patients with alcoholic liver disease, showing effectiveness in reducing alcohol craving in patients with liver cirrhosis 1
• It has been investigated for use in stroke-related spasticity, though with limited evidence of functional gains 2
• Intrathecal baclofen has demonstrated efficacy in reducing spasticity in chronic stroke patients 2
• Baclofen may worsen obstructive sleep apnea by promoting upper airway collapse during sleep, which is particularly concerning in patients with pre-existing sleep disorders 3
• Unlike other skeletal muscle relaxants, baclofen has a different safety profile but still requires careful monitoring, as noted by the American College of Physicians, as published in the Annals of Internal Medicine 4