Baclofen
About Baclofen
Baclofen is an anti-spastic agent and a muscle relaxer. It treats muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis or spinal cord lesions, including pain, muscle spasm, and stiffness. Baclofen also treats symptoms related to any injury or disease of the spinal cord.
Baclofen is not approved for anyone younger than 12 years old, anyone having an allergy toward it, or anyone who is breastfeeding at the time. It is advised to avoid consumption of alcohol after starting the course of the medicine. Intake of Baclofen may reduce your muscle tone for some time so it may effect your body balance and ability to perform certain activities.
It is also not safe for during pregnancy. Consult your doctor about taking this medicine if your have a kidney disease, a history of stroke or blood clots, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, or if you are taking a narcotic medication.
Some side effects of using this medicine may include ringing or buzzing in the ears, skin rashes, dizziness, muscle weakness, constipation, changes in mood, confusion, nausea or vomiting, headache and difficult or painful urination.
The doctor will prescribe your medicine based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not discontinue this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition could become worse and you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and hallucinations.
To prevent this, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. It is usually recommended to take this medicine three times a day, with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Take this drug as prescribed. Do not discontinue without consulting prescriber (abrupt discontinuation may cause hallucinations). Do not take any prescription or OTC sleep-inducing drugs, sedatives, antispasmodics without consulting prescriber.
You may experience transient drowsiness, lethargy, or dizziness; use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known. Frequent small meals or lozenges may reduce GI upset. Report unresolved insomnia, painful urination, change in urinary patterns, constipation, or persistent confusion.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
What are the uses of Baclofen
Spasticity
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
What are the contraindications of Baclofen ?
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
What are the side effects of Baclofen ?
Slurred Speech
Ataxia
Weakness
Hypotension
Confusion
Headache
Rash
Polyuria
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
Key highlights of Baclofen
How long is the duration of effect?
The medicine stays in the body for an average duration of 7 to 12 hours.
What is the onset of action?
The peak plasma concentration can be achieved in 2 to 3 hours. However, it takes 3 to 4 days for the medicine to show its effect.
Are there any pregnancy warnings?
This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women unless necessary. The benefits and risks should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency has been reported
Are there any breast-feeding warnings?
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.
Is It safe with alcohol?
It is unsafe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine.
Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?
This drug might effect the consciousness of the patient. Thus patient must avoid driving while taking this medicine.
Does this affect kidney function?
Caution must be taken while using this medicine in patients with kidney disease. Adjustment of dose might be needed. Kindly consult to your doctor before taking it.
Does this affect liver function?
Caution must be taken while using this medicine in patients with liver disease. Adjustment of dose might be needed. Kindly consult to your doctor before taking it.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
What are the dosage instructions?
Missed Dose instructions
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.
Are there any overdose instructions?
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
Where is the Baclofen approved?
India
United States
Japan
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
Medicines containing Baclofen
Below is the list of medicines, which contains Baclofen as ingredient
- Muscofen 4 MG Tablet
Virchow Biotech Private Limited
- Eptil 25 MG Tablet
Crescent Formulations Pvt. Ltd
- Lioresal 25 MG Tablet
Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Bacfen 5 MG Tablet
Icon Lifesciences
- Bizlo 30 MG Tablet
Unichem Laboratories Ltd
- Muscofen 8 MG Tablet
Virchow Biotech Private Limited
- Eptil 5 MG Tablet
Crescent Formulations Pvt. Ltd
- Baclof 5 MG Liquid
Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Liofen Xl 40 MG Capsule XL
Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd
- Liofen 50 MG Injection
Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
How does this medication work?
This medicine belongs to the skeletal muscle relaxants class of drugs. It works by inhibiting the monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal levels and decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters from the afferent terminal. It also stimulates the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA and relaxes the muscles.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Rheumatologist before using this medicine.
What are the interactions of Baclofen ?
Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.
- test
Interaction with Alcohol
Interaction with Lab Test
Interaction with Medicine
- Increased effect: Opiate analgesics, benzodiazepines, hypertensive agents.
- Increased toxicity: CNS depressants and alcohol (sedation), tricyclic antidepressants (short-term memory loss), clindamycin (neuromuscular blockade), guanabenz (sedation), MAO inhibitors (decrease blood pressure, CNS, and respiratory effects).
Interaction with Food
Interaction with Disease
FAQs about Baclofen
Ques : What is Baclofen?
Ans : Baclofen is a medication which has Baclofen as active ingredients present in it. This medicine performs its action by obstructing the release of excitatory transmitters in the body. Baclofen is also used to avoid Cerebral palsy and spinal cord symptoms. Baclofen is used to treat conditions such as Spasticity, alcoholism, charcot-marie-tooth disease and muscle cramps.
Ques : What are the uses of Baclofen?
Ans : Baclofen is used for the treatment and prevention from conditions and symptoms of diseases like Cerebral palsy and spinal cord symptoms. Besides these, it can also be used to treat conditions like Spasticity, alcoholism, charcot-marie-tooth disease and muscle cramps. The patient should inform the doctor about any ongoing medications and treatment before using Baclofen to avoid undesirable effects.
Ques : What are the Side Effects of Baclofen?
Ans : Some of these side-effects may be serious. Side effects include dizziness, insomnia, hypotension and constipation. Apart from these, using Baclofen may further lead to fatigue, weakness, confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. If any of these symptoms occur often or on a daily basis, a doctor should be urgently consulted.
Ques : What are the instructions for storage and disposal Baclofen?
Ans : Baclofen should be stored at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets. A doctor should be consulted regarding the dosage of Baclofen. The patient should consult a doctor for its further uses and side effects and should inform the doctor about any ongoing medications and treatment before using Baclofen to avoid undesirable effects.
Ques : Can Baclofen make you sleepy?
Ans : Due to its sedative effects, Baclofen can make a person feel sleepy. It causes dizziness and therefore affects vision. You should avoid driving or working on heavy machinery.
Ques : Is Baclofen a narcotic?
Ans : It is not a narcotic. It's rather a muscle relaxant. It does not have any abusive potential and may cause some side-effects, hence, it should not be taken with medicines that are pain-relieving.
Ques : Does Baclofen help anxiety?
Ans : There are no proven theories of it in treating anxiety disorders. But, it has been observed in some studies that Baclofen can help relieve stress caused after a trauma.
Ques : Can I take Baclofen if I have a liver problem?
Ans : You need to be cautious while having Baclofen in case of liver problems. The reason behind this is the tendency of it in increasing liver enzymes.
Ques : Does Baclofen have any effect on kidneys?
Ans : Baclofen may cause side effects in patients with normal kidney function which include excessive daytime urination (pollakiuria), burning sensation while urinating (dysuria), and loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence). Generally, a low dose of Baclofen is prescribed if a person has abnormally functioning kidneys or if a person is on dialysis.
References
Baclofen-Drug Information Portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 2 June 2022].Available from:
https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/baclofen
Baclofen-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 2 June 2022].Available from:
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00181
BACLOFEN Tablet,solution-DailyMed [Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 2 June 2022].Available from:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=BACLOFEN
Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.
Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
Table of content
Ask a free question
Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors