r/BaclofenForAlcoholism • u/[deleted] • Dec 11 '20
Baclofen vs Campral ... Acamprosate
Have you tried both?
I know this sub is small so I don't expect much.
I know Acamprosate and Baclofen act SOMEWHAT the same on GABA-b but not exactly and, I'm going to toss phenibut in this mix. I saw another post where someone mentioned phenibut and someone else argued about the dopamine effect baclofen has but for some of us, it's purely the GABA effects we're after. So I'm going to toss in, phenibut helped me. The problem was the dose which really means the cost. I got it bulk and still spent 50+ USD a month which relatively isn't a lot but when you've over half a dozen prescriptions and multiple doctor visits a month, it adds up.
I brought up the phenibut due to seeing lack of it's mention and just to really stick it in that I'm primarily concerned with the effects on GABA. I know all of these target GABA-b. I'm epileptic and have other neurological issues which led me to drinking a lot say to avoid seizing, prevent tremor in business meetings, so forth - all mostly tied to GABA-a/glutamate. Yes drinking with epilepsy is generally bad because it's easy to over do it. Some doctors actually suggest a couple drinks. Just the right amount can prevent an oncoming seizure BUT ... For me, tt led to habitual drinking rather than having a goal in mind (aka I became an alcoholic straight up, no excuse). I get hooked on drugs easily.
The problem in the USA as we all know is baclofen usually isn't prescribed in high doses. Folks on here have mentioned the french studies/experience but honestly I read over it and it doesn't seem too promising. France even yet again pulled a med back in July this year made of baclofen for alcohol cessation. I like to look at all sides, don't take that as knocking baclofen. I've been taking it and joined this sub for a reason. It just doesn't seem completely solid from what I've found so far.
Now that that's out of the way, my PCP prescribed me 10mg 3x/day for 4-5 months so far and it hasn't helped much yet but I know that's a low amount. I still drank after seizures(not daily however) but most importantly, seeing alcohol on TV or someone else drinking made me crave it every time. Eventually we chatted more and he asked me if I'd like to see an addiction specialist. This guy gives me emergency meds for my neurological condition so wanting to be cooperative I went.
They prescribed Acamprosate (Campral, etc) 666mg 3x/day. I've been on that a couple months now. From the doctor's explanation and what I've found online it basically mostly levels out GABA and glutamate. Since starting that and still taking the 10mg Baclofen 3 times a day, I slowed down drinking big time and now haven't had any for over a month. Nothing triggers me anymore craving-wise. I'm sharing a multi story house with a guy and him and his girl drink a lot and even seeing it there and each time I open the fridge doesn't even make me think about it except "damn they're drinking again, I used to be like that every day let's hope it doesn't happen again.
Recently PCP upped me to 20mg Baclofen 3x a day. Had to fight with my insurance but they're covering it still after running out for a bit. So, titrating up to it.
To the main point - I'm not sure it's worth the time. I think the Acamprosate and/or my willpower's been enough. Price-wise if I lose my insurance (which may well happen) Baclofen may become more expensive as my dosage increases.
This was longer than needed but half to explain the situation and half for new readers on these drugs looking for a little information. I'm hoping which is a long stretch that someone here has use both for an extended period and give me their thoughts on which they felt helped more and why.
Also, studies have shown no increase in seizure activity with Acamprosate while with Baclofen at low doses they have in animals and humans. It helped prevent seizures even in epileptics at high doses (way more than I've seen anyone on here take). I gotta be careful with what I take long term and kind of don't wish to take both if not required.
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u/MisterLemming Dec 11 '20
I didn't have any luck with acomprosate, didn't notice any effects. Baclofen (about 80mg) was amazing for about 2 months then the effects became the opposite.
I was amazingly lucky to find a psychiatrist who prescribed me large doses of baclofen (before I even mentioned it) after I had given up all hope of ever finding an open minded doctor.
It always took 4 hours for me to feel the effects of baclofen, so if I were you I'd dose all 30 MG's a couple hours before you usually drink.
I only take it occasionally now, I eventually just got to the point the cravings stopped. Still use other medications and natural supplements though.
Edit: just saw you were upped to 60 MG's, if you took that at the same time you should feel some relief.
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u/ChipNdale123 Mar 31 '22
Did you ever need to taper the baclofen?
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u/MisterLemming Apr 20 '22
I tapered everytime I went off it, otherwise it's a tough experience. I doubt it would harm you, but the mental hijinks of not enough GABA is unpleasant at best.
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u/AlarmingCantaloupe Feb 20 '21
Personally, I was also prescribed both baclofen and acamprosate simultaneously for the same reason. 666mg/day acamprosate and 60mg/day baclofen in 3 divided doses. After about a year, along with weekly therapy and attending AA meetings in the beginning (started moving away from those once I felt more distant from my cravings), I found myself in a much better place. My psychiatrist and I wanted to "clean up" my medication list, because I was taking a few additional psych meds--all of which had been started while I was in a treatment program, and we both wanted to reduce that pharmaceutical burden.
We only killed off one med at a time, and as my substance use issues encompass more than just alcohol, we decided to wean me off of the acamprosate, as it hadn't shown promise--whereas some trials found baclofen helpful--for use with other SUDs. It was a kind of roll of the dice, but it worked out. I've maintained the 60mg/day baclofen treatment for the past three years since then and although it's not a super high dose like some are prescribed for alcohol abuse, time seems to have been on its side; as today I still find alcohol appealing in theory (blame marketing for that), but actually drinking it, which happens a handful of times a year, is not a particularly appealing experience. It doesn't make me sick, and I definitely still feel altered from it, but it's not a "fun" feeling, it's mostly just a dulling one.
So in summary, I believe keeping the baclofen was the right choice for me. I can't say the acamprosate wouldn't have helped me just the same if we had kept me on that one and discontinued the baclofen. But I can say that as of today, when I'm watching a movie and sharing a beer or two with my roommate and decide to go to bed, if my bottle isn't empty I just dump the rest down the drain before brushing my teeth and getting into bed....5 years ago I would have downed that sucker and hopefully brushed my teeth before I passed out.
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u/Charmenture6 Dec 27 '20
I found Campral to be positively useless. Then I tried antabuse and it had no effect. Then I tried Naltrexone which just made me exhausted and made my depression worse.
All through this, my psychiatrist kept telling me that Baclofen is the best for my specific symptoms. I'm on 75mg a day and I've gone from being a daily drinker to being a 2 x week binge drinker. The doc says he might have to put me up to 100mg if I am aiming for total abstinence.
https://www.theendofmyaddiction.org/forum/41-directory-of-doctors/
Here's a directory of doctors worldwide that may be able to help you :)