Baclofen
About Baclofen
Baclofen is used to reduce and relieve muscle spasms (excessive tension in the muscles) occurring in various illnesses. Muscle spasm is the sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms.
Baclofen works on the spinal cord and brain, thereby helping in maintaining muscle strength and relieving muscle spasms or stiffness. Thus Baclofen reduces muscle spasm in the conditions of multiple sclerosis (a disorder which affects the brain and spinal cord), cerebrovascular accidents (damage to the brain due to lack of blood supply), cerebral palsy (a disorder of movement, posture and muscle tone), spinal cord diseases and other nervous system disorders.
Take Baclofen with food. You are advised to take Baclofen for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as sleepiness, drowsiness, nausea, headache, weakness, and dry mouth. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not discontinue Baclofen suddenly as it could lead to unpleasant side-effects such as rigidity, increased heart rate, changes in mood, fever, mental disorders, confusion, hallucinations, and fits (seizures). Consult your doctor before taking Baclofen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Baclofen should be given with caution in children below 16 years, as limited data is available on its safety and effectiveness. Baclofen is not recommended for children who weigh below 33 kg. Inform your doctor about all the current medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects. Please speak to your doctor immediately if you experience mood swings or depression or if you have any suicidal thoughts.
Uses of Baclofen
• Treatment of muscle spasms in cerebral palsy: Reduces excessive muscle tension and improves mobility.
• Management of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: Relieves painful muscle stiffness and improves daily function.
• Relief after cerebrovascular accidents (stroke): Reduces involuntary muscle spasms and improves limb mobility.
• Treatment of muscle tightness due to spinal cord diseases: Reduces muscle rigidity caused by spinal cord injuries or disorders.
• Support in other nervous system disorders: Provides relief from abnormal muscle tone caused by various neurological conditions.
Medicinal Benefits
Baclofen belongs to the group of medicines called muscle relaxants used to reduce and relieve the muscle spasms (excessive tension in the muscles) occurring in various illnesses such as multiple sclerosis (a disorder which affects the brain and spinal cord), cerebrovascular accidents (damage to the brain due to lack of blood supply), cerebral palsy (a disorder of movement, posture and muscle tone), spinal cord diseases and other nervous system disorders. Baclofen works by inhibiting the reflexes at the spinal level, helps in relieving pain and improves muscle movements.
Directions for Use
- Baclofen can be taken with food or as directed by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Baclofen as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, crush or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Baclofen
- Sleepiness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Tiredness
- Frequent urination
Drug Warnings
Do not take Baclofen if you are allergic to any of its contents or if you have ever had a stomach ulcer. Talk to your doctor before taking Baclofen if you have kidney or liver problems, mental disorders, breathing difficulty or lung disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, or if you have ever had a stroke. Consult your doctor before taking Baclofen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Baclofen should be given with caution in children below 16 years, as limited data is available on its safety and effectiveness. Baclofen is not recommended for children who weigh below 33 kg.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are taking pain killers (hydrocodone, methadone, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, morphine, fentanyl, tramadol), opiate antagonists (naloxone), muscle relaxant (tizanidine), drugs used to treat mood disorders (lithium, amitriptyline), calcium channel blocker (diltiazem), drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease (levodopa, carbidopa), anti-histamine (promethazine), sedative medicine (temazepam), and anti-convulsant (carbamazepine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney dysfunction, seizures (fits), psychosis (a severe mental disorder with impaired thoughts and emotions), or autonomic dysreflexia (spinal cord injury).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Baclofen as it may increase drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionAvoid taking Baclofen if you are pregnant unless prescribed by a doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Baclofen; your doctor will decide whether Baclofen can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionBaclofen causes sleepiness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionBaclofen should be given with caution in children below 16 years, as limited data is available on its safety and effectiveness. Baclofen is not recommended for children who weigh below 33 kg.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear, or sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.
- Massages can also be helpful.
- Avoid extremely cold and hot temperatures.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes; instead, wear loose garments.
- Rest well, get plenty of sleep.
- To avoid developing pressure sores, change your position at least every two hours.
- Hot or cold therapy can be helpful in treating muscle spasms. Apply an ice-pack or hot-pack on the muscle for 15-20minutes.
- Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver function.
- Inform your doctor that you are taking Baclofen if you are due to undergo any surgery which requires a general anaesthetic.
- Please talk to your doctor immediately if you experience mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Muscle spasm: It is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty in moving, and pain in affected muscles and joints. Fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection, and tight clothing can trigger muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants and exercise can treat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants sedate the muscle and help in inhibiting painful contractions. Exercise helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear, or sprain.
FAQs
Baclofen is used to reduce and relieve excessive muscle stiffness or spasms associated with conditions like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord disorders, and other nervous system diseases.
Baclofen works on the centres of the spinal cord and brain, thereby helping in maintaining muscle strength and relieving muscle spasms or stiffness.
Baclofen causes sleepiness and drowsiness. So, drive only if you are alert and omit driving or operating machinery if you feel sleepy or drowsy.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Baclofen. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevent drying of the mouth.
Do not discontinue Baclofen without consulting your doctor. Discontinuing Baclofen suddenly might cause muscle rigidity, increased heart rate, changes in mood, fever, mental disorders, confusion, hallucinations, and fits (seizures). Talk to your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Baclofen; your doctor will reduce the dose gradually.
Do not use Baclofen at a time when muscle tone is required for safe balance and movement during certain activities. In some conditions, it may be dangerous for you to have low or reduced muscle tone. Please do not drink alcohol with Baclofen as it can cause side effects. Avoid driving or performing hazardous tasks until you know how Baclofen will affect you.
Baclofen may reduce anxiety but not depression levels. However, it is not intended for treating anxiety.
Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
While specific dosing instructions will vary depending on your needs and medical history, always follow your doctor's prescribed dosage and timing for taking these medications.
To avoid potential interactions and minimise side effects, before using this medication, you should inform your doctor about your medical history, including any ongoing medicines.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Taking more than the recommended dosage does not provide additional benefits and can increase the risk of adverse effects. Take it only as advised by the doctor.
Baclofen does not affect any method of contraception, including combined tablets or emergency contraception. However, if baclofen makes you sick (vomit) or causes severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive tablets may not be effective in preventing pregnancy. Check the pill packet to see what to do.
Alcohol can increase the drowsy (sedative) effects of baclofen pills, making you extremely tired. It is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol when taking baclofen until you know how the medication affects you.
