Baclofen and γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a dangerous combination.
case_report · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 25494007.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000084.
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Abstract
Baclofen is a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-β receptor agonist with a muscle relaxant effect. It increases GABA activity and reduces the production of glutamate and dopamine. The GABA precursor γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has gained popularity as a drug of abuse. For the first time, we report a case of a GHB-dependent patient, who ingested several days' doses of baclofen (80 mg) simultaneously with 0.3 L (215 g) of illicit GHB. Baclofen (40 mg/d) was prescribed to prevent relapse after a successful detoxification. The patient developed a rapid coma (E2M5V1 with oxygen support), bradypnea, and hypotonia. Physicians should be alert to the danger of this combination because of the hazards of coma and respiratory distress.
Medical subject headings
- Baclofen
- Coma
- GABA-B Receptor Agonists
- Muscle Hypotonia
- Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- Sodium Oxybate