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Welcome to the website of the
Southwest Virginia MS Support Group
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Baclofen - Oral


Description
Baclofen acts on the central nervous system to relieve spasms, cramping, and tightness of muscles caused by
spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
Proper Usage
People with MS are usually started on an initial dose of 5 mg every
six to eight hours. If necessary, the amount is increased by 5 mg per dose
every five days until symptoms improve. The goal of treatment is to find a
dosage level that relieves spasticity without causing excessive weakness
or fatigue. The effective dose may vary from 15 mg to 160 mg per day or
more.
Baclofen-Oral
Baclofen are used two different ways. They are Baclofen-Oral and
Baclofen-IT. Below
is the Baclofen-oral expiation:
Baclofen Oral Uses
Baclofen, whether used orally or in
intrathecal baclofen therapy,
is used to treat muscle tightness and cramping (spasms) caused by certain
conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury/disease. It
works by relaxing the muscles. Decreasing spasms helps reduce pain and
stiffness, improves your ability to move around, and lets you do more of
your daily activities.
Oral Usage
People with MS are usually started on an initial dose of 5 mg every
six to eight hours. If necessary, the amount is increased by 5 mg per dose
every five days until symptoms improve. The goal of treatment is to find a
dosage level that relieves spasticity without causing excessive weakness
or fatigue. The effective dose may vary from 15 mg to 160 mg per day or
more.
How to use Baclofen Oral
Take this medication by mouth, usually 3 times a day or as directed by
your doctor. In general, your doctor may slowly increase your dose to
lower your chance of side effects until the right dose for you is
determined.
Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed. Do
not suddenly stop taking this drug without your doctor's approval. If you
suddenly stop taking this drug, withdrawal reactions may occur. Such
reactions can include seizures or hearing/seeing things that are not there
(hallucinations). Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately.
When stopping extended, regular treatment with this drug, gradually
reducing the dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from
it. Remember to take it at the same times each day. Dosage is based on
your medical condition and response to therapy.
It may take 1-2 months or longer to get the full benefit from this
medication. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it
worsens.
Baclofen Oral Side
Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, tiredness, headache, trouble
sleeping, nausea, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects
persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because
he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk
of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious
side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression,
hallucinations), hearing/vision changes, seizures, fast/pounding
heartbeat, fainting, black/bloody stools, skin rash or itching, severe
mood changes.
Side effects that typically go away as your body adjusts to the
medication and do not require medical attention unless they continue
for several weeks or are bothersome: drowsiness or unusual tiredness*;
increased weakness*; dizziness or lightheadedness; confusion; unusual
constipation*; new or unusual bladder symptoms*; trouble sleeping;
unusual unsteadiness or clumsiness*.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very
serious side effects occur: chest pain, shortness of breath.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but
seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious
allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe
dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you
notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
Baclofen Oral
Precautions
If you are taking more than 30 mg daily, do not stop taking this
medication suddenly. Stopping high doses of this medication abruptly
can cause convulsions, hallucinations, increases in muscle spasms or
cramping, mental changes, or unusual nervousness or restlessness.
Consult your physician about how to reduce the dosage gradually before
stopping the medication completely.
This drug adds to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants
(such as antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, prescription pain
medications, seizure medications, other muscle relaxants), possibly
causing drowsiness. Be sure that your physician knows if you are
taking these or other medications. Use caution engaging in activities
requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Studies of birth defects with baclofen have not been done with
humans. Studies in animals have shown that baclofen, when given in
doses several times higher than the amount given to humans, increases
the chance of hernias, incomplete or slow development of bones in the
fetus, and lower birth weight.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your
medical history, especially of: kidney problems, seizure disorder,
mental/mood disorders, brain disorders (e.g., stroke).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are
using this medication.
Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is
removed by the kidneys. Therefore, the elderly may be more sensitive
to the side effects of this drug, especially mental/mood changes.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during
pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding.
Baclofen Oral
Interactions
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may
already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be
monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of
any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist
of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may
use.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that
cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g.,
diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine),
medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam,
zolpidem), other muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g.,
codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine,
risperidone, trazodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold
products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk
(decrease seizure threshold) when combined with baclofen such as
isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine),
theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline),
among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions.
Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your
medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and
pharmacist.
Baclofen Oral
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose: sudden onset of blurred or double
vision*; convulsions; shortness of breath or troubled breathing;
vomiting.
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US
national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents
should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms
of overdose may include severe muscle weakness, vomiting, severe
drowsiness, seizures, slowed breathing, loss of consciousness.
NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is
within about 1 hour of that scheduled dose. If you do not remember
until later, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing
schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30
degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the
bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a
drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product
when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or
local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely
discard your product.
MEDICAL ALERT:
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA)
or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised June 2008 Copyright© 2008 First
DataBank, Inc.
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