Phenylethylamine-Like Properties of Baclofen

Abstract

Baclofen therapy resulted in improvement of dyskinesias only in patients with trunkal tardive dyskinesia. However, the appearance of undesirable side effects did not warrant continuation of treatment with this drug. Baclofen did not have any therapeutic effect in schizophrenia and moreover a trend towards a worsening of the psychiatric conditions with irritability, assaultiveness and prominent auditory hallucinations was observed. The effects of baclofen on tardive dyskinesia and schizophrenia can be explained in terms of its phenylethylamine-like properties.

Consciousness Recovery Induced by Intrathecal Baclofen Administration After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage -Two Case Reports-

“…2) Low dose baclofen induces dopamine receptor hypersensitivity, 19) and also acts as a betaphenylethylamine agonist, enhancing the action of dopamine through endogenous amphetamine-like effects. 4,29) Fifteen minutes after application of the GABA agonist zolpidem, one patient awoke from the semi-comatose condition and remained awake for the next 3-4 hours, 5) but returned to the semi-comatose state after the drug action subsided. We have not tried the discontinuation of baclofen after consciousness recovery was verified, because the anti-spastic effect is transient and continuous intrathecal infusion of baclofen is necessary for the treat-ment of the spasticity.…”

Can “Steroid Switching” Improve Steroid-Induced Musical Hallucinations in a Patient with Terminal Cancer?

“…Reported causes of druginduced musical hallucinations include tricyclic antidepressants, carbamazepine, cannabinoids, paracetamol, phenytoin, baclofen, ketamine, and opioids (tramadol and oxycodone) which are often used in palliative care. [17][18][19][20][21] Treatment with steroid-taper should be considered for steroid-induced psychiatric symptoms. 3 There is a report of the effectiveness of ''steroid switching'' in sterioid induced psychosis.…”

Musical Hallucinations and Opioids: A Word of Caution

“…2 Multiple medications have been associated with musical hallucinations. This includes drugs used in palliative care including tricyclic antidepressants, 4 carbamazepine, 4 cannabinoids, 4 paracetamol, 4 phenytoin, 4 baclofen (auditory), 5 ketamine, 6 and, of course, opioids. Opioids have been associated with auditory and musical hallucinations.…”