Efficacy of baclofen on abstinence and craving in alcohol-dependent patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Purpose: We conducted a meta-analysis in order to estimate the efficacy of baclofen on the maintenance of abstinence and the decrease of craving in alcohol-dependent patients.

Methods: All randomized controlled clinical trials assessing baclofen for at least four weeks' treatment duration versus placebo or other comparators were included. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients who had not consumed alcohol at the end of the treatment. Measures of cumulative abstinence and indexes of craving were also assessed.

Results: Compared to placebo, baclofen was associated with a significant increase of 179% in the percentage of abstinent patients at the end of the trial, without heterogeneity. For secondary outcome measures, based on a random-effect model, no significant effect of baclofen was observed compared to placebo.

Conclusions: Our meta-analysis brings weak support towards an efficacy of low dosages of baclofen on the maintenance of abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients.