Phimarn, W.
Efficacy and safety of baclofen for treatment of alcohol dependence: an updated meta-analysis and meta-regression study - Vol.84(1), Jan-Feb - Mumbai Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 2022 - 137-149p.
Baclofen is increasingly used for alcohol dependence treatment but its use remains controversial. Therefore,
this study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of baclofen use on alcohol dependence. This is systematic
review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Thai
databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials investigating efficacy and safety of
baclofen on alcohol dependence were included. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment
were performed independently by two reviewers. The clinical therapeutic efficacy and adverse events of
baclofen were assessed and were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by
I 2 and chi-squared test. Sixteen studies with 1539 alcohol dependence patients were included. Baclofen
increased risk of abstinence (risk ratio=1.32; 95 % confidence interval: 1.12, 1.55; p=0.0006) and abstinence
duration (standard mean difference=1.07 d (95 % confidence interval: 0.13, 2.01; p=0.04) significantly.
Moreover, baclofen significantly decreased heavy drinking days (standard mean difference=-1.14 d; 95 %
confidence interval:-1.95, -0.34; p=0.007). However, there were no significant effects on times to relapse,
craving and number of alcohol drinks. No serious adverse event associated with baclofen was reported
during treatments. The meta-regression found baclofen dose was significantly associated with craving.
This meta-analysis indicated that baclofen treatment in alcohol dependence patients is associated with
better outcomes in risk of abstinence, abstinence duration and heavy drinking days. However, larger well-
designed studies are required to confirm these conclusions.
PHARMACEUTICS
Efficacy and safety of baclofen for treatment of alcohol dependence: an updated meta-analysis and meta-regression study - Vol.84(1), Jan-Feb - Mumbai Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 2022 - 137-149p.
Baclofen is increasingly used for alcohol dependence treatment but its use remains controversial. Therefore,
this study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of baclofen use on alcohol dependence. This is systematic
review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Thai
databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials investigating efficacy and safety of
baclofen on alcohol dependence were included. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment
were performed independently by two reviewers. The clinical therapeutic efficacy and adverse events of
baclofen were assessed and were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by
I 2 and chi-squared test. Sixteen studies with 1539 alcohol dependence patients were included. Baclofen
increased risk of abstinence (risk ratio=1.32; 95 % confidence interval: 1.12, 1.55; p=0.0006) and abstinence
duration (standard mean difference=1.07 d (95 % confidence interval: 0.13, 2.01; p=0.04) significantly.
Moreover, baclofen significantly decreased heavy drinking days (standard mean difference=-1.14 d; 95 %
confidence interval:-1.95, -0.34; p=0.007). However, there were no significant effects on times to relapse,
craving and number of alcohol drinks. No serious adverse event associated with baclofen was reported
during treatments. The meta-regression found baclofen dose was significantly associated with craving.
This meta-analysis indicated that baclofen treatment in alcohol dependence patients is associated with
better outcomes in risk of abstinence, abstinence duration and heavy drinking days. However, larger well-
designed studies are required to confirm these conclusions.
PHARMACEUTICS