Baclofen
Description
Baclofen is an Antispastic agent which is used to relieve pain and improves the muscle movement. It should be started at low doses and increased gradually based on the response. Do not stop abruptly due to the risk of seizures.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Baclofen
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Change in mood
- Skin rash
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Muscle weakness
- Headache
- Constipation
- Difficult or painful urination
Uses of Baclofen
What is it prescribed for?
- Spasticity
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak plasma concentration can be achieved in 2 to 3 hours. It takes 3 to 4 days for the medicine to show its effect.
- Duration of effectThe medicine stays in the body for an average duration of 7 to 12 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. Avoid activities that need mental alertness like driving and operating machinery.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women unless necessary. The benefits and risks should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is known to excreted through the breast milk. It is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Monitoring of symptoms like sedation is necessary.
Allergy
Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Baclofen.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women unless necessary. The benefits and risks should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is known to excreted through the breast milk. It is not recommended in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Monitoring of symptoms like sedation is necessary.
General warnings
Abrupt withdrawal
This medicine may cause hallucinations and seizures if stopped abruptly. The dose should be reduced gradually over a period of 1 to 2 weeks based on patients response.
Central nervous system disorders
This medicine may worsen the conditions like schizophrenia depressive or manic disorders, confusional states or Parkinson's disease. It should be used with caution in these patients. Inform the doctor if any symptoms appear.
Impaired kidney function
The concentration of this medicine may increase in patients with kidney disease. The kidney function should be monitored carefully. The dose should be adjusted based on the CrCl.
Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts were found in patients being treated with this medicine for up to one year and disappeared later.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Use of this medicine with alcohol will cause depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system.
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol with this medicine is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. Avoid activities that need mental alertness like driving and operating machinery.
Interaction with Medicine
Clobazam
Opioids
Antihypertensives
Disease interactions
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with the kidney disease due to increase in the concentration of this medicine and increase in the risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary. The dose should be adjusted based on the CrCl.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Baclofen as advised by the doctor at the same time every day. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting the doctor due to the risk of seizures and hallucinations.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by inhibiting the release of the chemical at the spinal level and relieves pain and improves the muscle movement.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Skeletal muscle relaxants
Schedule
Schedule H
Baclofen - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 17 May 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 17 May 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Baclofen injection [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 17 May 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 17 May 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 17 May 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.