Prescribing Guide for Baclofen in the Treatment of Alcoholism – for Use by Physicians

Abstract

The purpose of this guide is to help doctors prescribe baclofen in the treatment of alcohol problems as there is, to date, no standardized way to prescribe this molecule in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The Recommended Medical Practices in respect of baclofen prescription generally proposes, for neurological treatment, increasing dosage by 15mg every 3 days, while suggesting flexibility, that is to say, adapting dosages individually. The proposals below reflect the experience of the authors to this paper, experience which itself has been based on the original method described by Olivier Ameisen [1,2]. The authors have, between them, treated more than 1500 patients with this medication, and they have learned gradually and empirically how to use baclofen to help patients in the best possible way with alcohol problems. The experience of the authors is that there is no absolute consensus and that prescribers may have different approaches and practices in the conduct of treatment. At the present time, it is impossible to give a definitive answer to the question. Thebibliography (see References) includes four papers describing clinical experiences in which the authors have compiled their results [3,4,5,6].Other reports from the literature have also been taken in to account [7,8,9]. These recommendations are intended to help the prescription ofbaclofen.