Baclofen is used to relax muscles and to relieve spasms, cramping or tightness caused by certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis (disease affecting the brain and/or spinal cord), cerebral palsy (brain disorder affecting movement and muscle tone or posture), stroke, and spinal cord diseases or injury.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Baclofen exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instruction on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Baclofen is available as a tablet or as an oral solution.
If you are given the tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water or milk.
If you are given the oral solution, use the dropper supplied with each bottle to measure out your dose. The oral solution may be mixed with a little liquid such as purified water. Drink the mixture immediately.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
You may need to take Baclofen for some time before the full benefits can be felt. Continue to take this medicine even when you feel better and do not stop taking it unless instructed otherwise, as stopping it suddenly may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have stomach ulcers as Baclofen may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- mental illness or other mood disorders e.g. depression, confusional state, schizophrenia (long-term mental disorder that causes changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour)
- Parkinson's disease (disorder that affects movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- with or a history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- history of stroke
- stomach diseases e.g. history of stomach ulceration, slow digestive motility, bowel obstruction
- bladder problems e.g. bladder obstruction, difficulty passing urine
- history of excessive alcohol intake
- porphyria (an inherited disorder that causes skin or nervous system abnormalities)
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- lung disease
- liver disease
- kidney disease or undergoing dialysis
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Baclofen to a child or an elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Your may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. kidney and liver function) while you are being treated with Baclofen. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
Baclofen may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and suddenly falling asleep during your daily activities such as eating and watching television. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhoea, tiredness, difficulty sleeping, increased sweating, muscle pain or weakness, increased need to pass urine, and numbness or tingling sensation in the hands or feet.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- slow heartbeat, chest pain, light-headedness
- difficulty passing urine
- persistent muscle or joint pain, muscle cramps, weakness or numbness
- fits or seizures, high fever, rapid or irregular heartbeat, being anxious, rigid muscles, tremors, seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for muscle relaxation e.g. tizanidine, carisoprodol
- medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease e.g. levodopa, carbidopa
- medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. diltiazem, captopril, clonidine
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine
- medicines for anxiety or sleeping disorder e.g. temazepam, alprazolam, diazepam
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. promethazine, clemastine
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen
- strong painkillers e.g. morphine, fentanyl
- medicine for mood disorder e.g. lithium
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Baclofen.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol will worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Baclofen.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Keep in the original package to protect from light, heat and moisture.
Reconstituted oral solution can be stored at room temperature not more than 25°C. Do not refrigerate. Throw away any unused portion after 14 days.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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