Baclofen is a muscle relaxer and is used to treat muscle spasms.
The drug is prescribed for various reasons, including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury.
Baclofen may be taken orally or given intrathecally (injected into the spinal cord).
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People take baclofen to treat spasticity, a condition where muscles become tight and difficult to move. It can also reduce pain and improve movement in people with conditions such as cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.
Baclofen works by relaxing the muscles and reducing the number of messages sent from the brain to the muscles.¹ This makes it easier for people to move their muscles and reduces the risk of muscle spasms.
The starting dose of baclofen is typically 5mg three times a day for three days by mouth² for treating spinal cord injury and spasticity of multiple sclerosis in adults and children over the age of 12.
The maximum daily dose for adults and children over the age of 12 is 80mg per day taken in 20mg doses four times per day.²
Baclofen can be taken with or without food. Taking baclofen with food reduces the risk of an upset stomach.
Most people begin to experience the effects of baclofen within an hour of taking it. The drug has a short half-life of two to six hours,² so it should be used regularly to get the best results.
There are some potential side effects of baclofen that you should be aware of. These include:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headache
Weakness
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Dry mouth
Contact your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.
Baclofen is safe for long-term treatment, so take baclofen for as long as your doctor tells you to.
If you have any questions about taking baclofen long-term, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to take a dose of baclofen, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Don’t take two doses of baclofen at once.
Baclofen has been linked to a small number of overdoses. Symptoms of a baclofen overdose may include:
Drowsiness
Confusion
Slurred speech
Weakness
Loss of coordination
Seizures
Breathing difficulties
Seek emergency medical help if you think you or someone else has overdosed on baclofen. Don’t attempt to make the person vomit unless a medical professional tells you to.
You should speak to your doctor before taking any new medication, and this is particularly important with baclofen.
Discuss the following things with your doctor before taking baclofen:
Medical history: Tell your doctor about any previous health conditions (including mental health conditions) and any past reactions to medication.
Other medications you are taking: Talk to your doctor about any other prescription and over-the-counter medications you’re currently taking, including vitamins and supplements.
Alcohol use: Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of baclofen side effects, so discuss your alcohol intake with your doctor to help them decide if baclofen is safe for you.
If you stop taking baclofen suddenly, you may experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, including:
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle cramps
Seizures
Hallucinations
Vision changes
Psychosis
Delusion
Agitation
Confusion
Dyskinesia
Increased spasticity
Hyperthermia
Don’t stop taking baclofen without first consulting your doctor to lower your risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Limited research has been carried out to explore how baclofen affects pregnancy; however, the information available suggests that it may be safe to take during pregnancy.³
Baclofen has not been shown to cause miscarriage or birth defects in babies when taken in the first trimester, but more research is needed.
Baclofen passes from the mother to the baby through the placenta, but in small amounts. It is also excreted in breast milk at very low levels. There have been no reports of adverse effects from baclofen during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and need to take baclofen for muscle spasms, it may be safe to keep taking it. However, baclofen has been reported to cause symptoms of neonatal withdrawal. The drug works in a similar way to other medications known to cause neonatal withdrawal syndrome.
Discuss the medication with your doctor to weigh up the pros and cons and decide if it’s a safe choice for you and your baby.
Baclofen may interact with other drugs. These include:
Alcohol
Anti-seizure medications
Antidepressants
Muscle relaxers
Sleeping pills
Tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking, even over-the-counter drugs and supplements. This will help your doctor determine if baclofen is the right drug for you.
Don’t take this drug if you are allergic to it or have had an allergic reaction to it in the past.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
Rash
Itching
Swelling
Severe dizziness
Trouble breathing
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.
Baclofen was first synthesized in 1960⁴ by scientists who were looking for a drug to treat epilepsy, but it wasn’t successful. In 1971, baclofen was reintroduced and was found to be an effective muscle relaxant.
In a 1977 double-blind, five-week, multicenter trial,⁵ baclofen was compared to a placebo and found to be a more effective treatment for spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis.
Here are some general tips for taking this medication:
Take baclofen exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Don’t take more or less than what is prescribed.
Swallow the tablets whole — don’t chew them.
Take a missed dose of baclofen as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
Drink plenty of fluids while taking baclofen to avoid dehydration.
Don’t drink alcohol while taking baclofen.
If you experience any side effects while taking baclofen, contact your doctor. Some common side effects include dizziness, headache, and drowsiness.
Sources
Effects of baclofen on motor units paralysed by chronic cervical spinal cord injury (2010)
Baclofen dosage | Drugs.com
Baclofen | Medicine in Pregnancy
Baclofen | StatPearls
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Here at HealthMatch, we’ve done our best to ensure that the information provided in this article is helpful, up to date, and, most importantly, accurate.
However, we can’t replace the one-to-one advice of a qualified medical practitioner or outline all of the possible risks associated with this particular drug and your circumstances.
It is therefore important for you to note that the information contained in this article does not constitute professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or recommendation of treatment and is not intended to, nor should be used to, replace professional medical advice. This article may not always be up to date and is not exhaustive of all of the risks and considerations relevant to this particular drug. In no circumstances should this article be relied upon without independent consideration and confirmation by a qualified medical practitioner.
Your doctor will be able to explain all possible uses, dosages, precautions, interactions with other drugs, and other potential adverse effects, and you should always talk to them about any kind of medication you are taking, thinking about taking or wanting to stop taking.
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