FAILURE OF ABSORPTION OF BACLOFEN AFTER RECTAL ADMINISTRATION

We wished to determine the degree to which baclofen was absorbed from an aqueous vehicle after rectal administration. A comparison was made to absorption after oral administration. After oral administration, th e baclofen half-life was 2.3 to 3.4 hours and peak serum concentration s were achieved from 1 to 2.1 hours after administration. No measurabl e absorption was observed after rectal administration of the drug in a ny subject, Rectal administration of baclofen is not a clinically soun d treatment option when oral administration of the drug is not possibl e, For patients receiving chronic baclofen therapy, other medications such as a benzodiazepine should be considered at times when oral admin istration of medication is not possible. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.