Baclofen as an adjuvant analgesic for cancer pain.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Baclofen is a g-aminobutyric acid receptor agonist commonly used for managing many types of neuropathic pain. The effect of baclofen on cancer pain has not previously been studied. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of baclofen in patients with cancer pain.

METHODS:

We reviewed the medical records of all patients given baclofen orally as an analgesic for cancer at 5 institutions.

RESULT:

Twenty-five patients received 10 to 40 mg of baclofen for cancer pain relief. Twenty patients have undergone neuropathic pain such as paroxysmal or lancing, sharp, or like an electric shock. Baclofen was effective in 21 of 25 patients and significantly reduced Numeric Rating Scale (pain score, 0-10; P < .0001). Nine patients reported mild adverse events: none of these 9 patients had to discontinue baclofen due to adverse events.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that baclofen may be a useful adjuvant analgesic in the treatment of cancer pain.

• Authors: Kinomi Yomiya, Naoki Matsuo, Shiro Tomiyasu, Tetsusuke Yoshimoto, Tomohiro Tamaki, Tsutomu Suzuki, Motohiro Matoba
• Journal: The American journal of hospice & palliative care (Am J Hosp Palliat Care) 2009 Apr-May Vol. 26 Issue 2 Pg. 112-8 ISSN: 1938-2715 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19114602 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Analgesics
• Baclofen

Topics

• Analgesics (therapeutic use)
• Baclofen (therapeutic use)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant (methods)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Neoplasms (complications)
• Pain Measurement (methods)
• Pain, Intractable (drug therapy, etiology)
• Treatment Outcome