Baclofen
Information about Baclofen
Baclofen uses
Baclofen is used for muscle relaxation. It treats muscle spasms which may occur in diseases affecting the nervous system, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, or injury to head, brain or spine.
How baclofen works
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant. It works on the brain and spinal cord to relieve muscle stiffness or spasm maintaining the strength of the muscles. This relieves pain and improves movement of muscles.
Common side effects of baclofen
Fatigue, Weakness, Drowsiness, Dizziness
Content Details
Last updated on:
10 Oct 2019 | 03:26 PM (IST)
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Expert advice for Baclofen
- Baclofen provides relief from rigidity, tension and stiffness in muscles (spasticity) that may occur due to various conditions affecting the nervous system.
- Take it with or after food or a glass of milk.
- Baclofen may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
- Avoid consuming alcohol when taking Baclofen as it may cause excessive drowsiness.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
- Do not stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor if you've been on it for a long time.
Frequently asked questions for Baclofen
Baclofen
Q. Can Baclofen make you sleepy?
Yes, Baclofen can cause sleepiness. It can make a person dizzy due to its sedative effect. It can also affect vision and therefore you should avoid driving and using heavy machinery until and unless you know how Baclofen affects you.
Q. Is Baclofen a narcotic?
No, Baclofen is not a narcotic. It is a muscle relaxant. It does not have abuse potential. Baclofen may cause side effects which include drowsiness, euphoria, and dysphoria. Hence, it should not be used with medicines that cause similar side effects like pain-relieving opiates.
Q. Does Baclofen help anxiety?
Though Baclofen is not approved to treat anxiety disorders, it has been observed in some studies that it is effective in treating stress which occurs after a trauma.
Q. Can I take Baclofen if I have a liver problem?
If you have a liver problem then you need to be cautious while taking Baclofen. This is because the medicine may increase the production of liver enzymes. Hence, regular laboratory examination of liver enzymes is required while taking this medicine as advised by your doctor.
Q. Does Baclofen have any effect on kidneys?
Baclofen may cause side effects in patients with normal kidney function which include excessive day time 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.