Details

Baclofen is a muscle relaxer and an antispastic agent. Baclofen is used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis, including spasm, pain, and stiffness. Baclofen may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of baclofen. Do not use baclofen at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone. Do not give baclofen to a child younger than 12 years old. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Typical Uses

Baclofen is used to treat muscle spasms caused by certain conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury/disease). It works by helping to relax the muscles and improves muscle movement.

Side Effects

Get immediate medical attention if you have hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Contact your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as seizure (convulsions) confusion, hallucinations or an uneven heartbeat. Less serious baclofen side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, tired feeling headache sleep problems (insomnia) nausea, constipation or urinating more often than usual.

Drug Interactions

• Baclofen+propoxyphene- Using propoxyphene together with baclofen may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should take propoxyphene exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

• Baclofen+buprenorphine- Using buprenorphine together with other medications that cause central nervous system depression such as baclofen can lead to serious side effects such as respiratory distress, coma, or even death. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

• Baclofen+sodium oxybate- Using sodium oxybate together with baclofen may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, depression, low blood pressure, slow or shallow breathing, and impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. Occasionally, severe reactions may result in coma and even death.

Mechanism of action

Baclofen belongs to a group of medicines called muscle relaxants. It works by acting on the central nervous system to reduce muscle spasms and tightness.

Pregnancy Category : C