Baclofen (
Lioresal®) is a prescription medication approved to treat spasticity. The tablet form is approved for treating spasticity due to
multiple sclerosis (
MS) or spinal cord injuries or diseases. The injectable version (which is used in a pump that delivers the medication directly to the spinal cord) is approved to treat severe spasticity due to various causes, including MS, spinal cord injuries or diseases, or cerebral palsy.
Just like any medicine, baclofen can cause side effects.
However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. Some people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of baclofen include but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Low muscle tone.
(Click Baclofen Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Epilepsy or a history of seizures
- A history of stroke
- Mental illness of any kind
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
The dose of baclofen your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to baclofen
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Withdrawing From the Medicine
Although it is not a narcotic and is not an addictive medication, baclofen can cause severe withdrawal symptoms if stopped too quickly. Severe cases can even be fatal. Do not stop taking this drug without your healthcare provider's approval and supervision
(see Baclofen Withdrawal).
What If I Take an Overdose?
An overdose of baclofen can cause serious problems. If you happen to overdose on this medication, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Baclofen Be Stored?
Baclofen should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your baclofen as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
How Does This Medication Work?
It is not fully understood exactly how baclofen works to treat spasticity. The medicine is chemically similar to
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a chemical messenger in the central nervous system. The primary activity of GABA is to inhibit nerve signals, and baclofen might have actions that are similar to GABA.
Baclofen intrathecal infusion (delivered directly to the spinal cord by a pump) works to provide the medication directly to the spinal cord. This, to some extent, spares the rest of the body from side effects.
When and How to Take Baclofen
Some general considerations to keep in mind during treatment are as follows:
- This medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth usually three or four times a day.
- Alternatively, baclofen can be given through a pump directly into the spinal cord. This method is reserved for severe cases of spasticity.
- You can take your dose with food or on an empty stomach.
- Make sure to take this medication at the same times each day to keep an even level in your blood.
- For baclofen to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
The intrathecal form of this medication is not available in generic form; the tablets are available only in generic form
(see Generic Baclofen).
Who Makes This Medication?
Brand-name baclofen injection is made by Novartis Pharma and is distributed and marketed by Medtronic, Inc. Brand-name
baclofen tablets are no longer manufactured, although generic versions are still available and are made by various manufacturers.
Baclofen (or the generic version, in the case of the tablets) comes in the following strengths and forms:
