Alcohol and Alcoholism (2014) doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agu028
First published online: May 30, 2014
Utilization of Baclofen in Maintenance of Alcohol Abstinence in Patients
with Alcohol Dependence and Alcoholic Hepatitis with or without CirrhosisDavid Yamini, Scott Hyunsoo Lee, Armine Avanesyan, Michael Walter and Bruce Runyon
Aim: To report the efficacy and safety of baclofen in improving clinical state in patients with
alcoholic hepatitis. Method: Single center, open, retrospective study analyzing the effects of
baclofen utilized over 12 months in patients with alcoholic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis
and alcohol dependence on these liver parameters: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (Tbili), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized
ratio (INR), albumin and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.
Results: Out of 40 patients, 35 were treated with baclofen. On average, baclofen was used for
5.8 months. A significant decrease in the mean AST, ALT, Tbili, INR, PT and MELD score was
seen when comparing pre-baclofen use compared with post-baclofen use. Of the 35 patients
who were started on baclofen, 34 (97%) remained abstinent. There were no serious adverse
events. Conclusions: Baclofen's safety and efficacy in improving the clinical condition patients
with alcoholic liver disease has been supported. Randomized prospective studies with longer
duration of baclofen in this population may further optimize its use and corroborate efficacy.
