Baclofen and Methadone interaction

Managing Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, is a risk factor for respiratory depression and death [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

Reserve concomitant prescribing of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants in patients in methadone treatment to those for whom alternatives to benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants are inadequate.

Concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, and death.

Examples: butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, buprenorphine Muscle Relaxants Clinical Impact: Methadone may enhance the neuromuscular blocking action of skeletal muscle relaxants and produce an increased degree of respiratory depression.

Intervention: Monitor patients for signs of respiratory depression that may be greater than otherwise expected and decrease the dosage of METHADOSE and/or the muscle relaxant as necessary.

Patients should also be cautioned that the central nervous system depressant effects of intrathecal baclofen may be additive to those of alcohol and other CNS depressants.