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What is Baclofen
 Baclofen
is a muscle relaxant and an antispastic agent. The exact way
that Baclofen works is unknown.
Baclofen
is used to relieve the muscle spasms, pain, and muscular rigidity
associated with multiple sclerosis.
Baclofen
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Baclofen
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Baclofen may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously.
Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you
are taking Baclofen.
Do not stop taking Baclofen
suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause seizures or hallucinations.
Your doctor will want to gradually reduce you dose.
What you should find out before taking
Baclofen
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease or
- epilepsy or
another seizure disorder.
You may not be able to
take Baclofen, or you may require a lower dose or special
monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above.
Baclofen is in the FDA pregnancy category
C. This means that it is not known whether Baclofen will
harm an unborn baby. Do not take Baclofen without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is
also not known whether Baclofen passes into breast milk.
Do not take Baclofen without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Baclofen Take Baclofen exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
You can take Baclofen
with or without food.
Do not stop taking Baclofen
suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause seizures or hallucinations.
Talk to your doctor first if you need to stop taking this
medication.
Store Baclofen at room temperature away
from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical treatment.
Symptoms
of a Baclofen overdose include vomiting, weakness, drowsiness,
slow breathing, seizures, unusual pupil size, and coma.
Avoid while taking Baclofen Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Baclofen may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously.
Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you
are taking Baclofen.
Possible side effects of Baclofen If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Baclofen and seek emergency medical
attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or
face; or hives);
- seizures; or
- an irregular
heartbeat.
Other, less serious side effects are more
likely to occur. Continue to take Baclofen and talk to your
doctor if you experience any of the following:
-
drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, or unusual fatigue;
-
a headache;
- constipation;
- stuffy nose;
- blurred vision;
- a rash; or
- frequent
urination.
Side effects other than those listed here
may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect
that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Baclofen Many drugs can increase the effects of Baclofen,
which can lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication,
tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
- antihistamines such as brompheniramine
(Dimetane, Bromfed, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton,
Teldrin, others), azatadine (Optimine), clemastine (Tavist),
and many others;
- narcotics (pain killers) such
as meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others),
propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin),
oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and
codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others);
-
sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital
(Amytal), and secobarbital (Seconal);
- phenothiazines
such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin),
mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine
(Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and trifluoperazine
(Stelazine); or
- antidepressants such as doxepin
(Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor),
fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft),
phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Baclofen.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines. |
