Baclofen

Common Use

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant—in simple terms, it works by calming the nerves in the spinal cord, which helps reduce muscle stiffness, tightness, and spasms. It is used to treat spasticity, a condition where muscles are continuously contracted, causing stiffness, pain, and difficulty with movement.

Baclofen is used to treat:

Spasm of skeletal muscles – sudden, involuntary muscle contractions

Muscle clonus – rhythmic, involuntary muscle contractions

Muscle cramping and rigidity – stiffness and tightness in the muscles

Spinal cord injury – spasticity resulting from damage to the spinal cord

Multiple sclerosis (MS) – a condition where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves, leading to muscle stiffness, spasms, and other symptoms

Cerebral palsy – in some cases, to help manage muscle spasticity

Other conditions that cause muscle spasticity, as determined by a doctor

Baclofen acts by relaxing skeletal muscles—the muscles that move the skeleton (also called striated muscles). It works by inhibiting the transmission of nerve signals in the spinal cord that cause muscles to contract.

Dosage and Direction

Take baclofen exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take the medication in larger doses or for a longer time than recommended.

Take this medicine by mouth with a drink of water. Swallow the tablet whole

The usual initial dose for adults is 5 mg three times daily

The dose may be increased gradually by 15 mg every three days to a maximum of 80 mg per day, divided into multiple doses

Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your condition and response to treatment

Important: Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine, as this can cause a severe reaction (withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, muscle stiffness, and high fever). Your dose will be slowly lowered over time under your doctor’s supervision to avoid withdrawal effects.

Precautions

Before taking baclofen, inform your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have:

Kidney disease – baclofen is eliminated through the kidneys

Diabetes – baclofen may affect blood sugar levels

Seizures (epilepsy) – baclofen can lower the seizure threshold

Stroke or history of blood clots

Liver disease

Psychiatric disorders such as depression or psychosis

Parkinson’s disease

Peptic ulcer disease

Urinary retention (difficulty emptying the bladder)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Baclofen may pass into breast milk and could affect a nursing infant

Driving and operating machinery:

You may feel drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking the medicine or when your dose is changed. Stand or sit up slowly to reduce the risk of dizziness

Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until you know how the medicine affects you

Contraindications

Baclofen should not be used in patients with:

Allergy to baclofen or any of its components

Hypersensitivity reactions to baclofen in the past

Possible Side Effects

Serious side effects (inform your doctor or healthcare professional immediately) may include:

Allergic reactions – skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

Chest pain

Constipation (severe)

Low blood pressure (hypotension) – causing dizziness or fainting

Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)

Vomiting

Respiratory depression – slow or shallow breathing

Inability to sleep (severe insomnia)

Increased urinary frequency or urinary retention (difficulty urinating)

Seizures

Common side effects (usually do not require medical attention but should be reported if they continue or become bothersome) may include:

Drowsiness or dizziness

Weakness or fatigue

Confusion

Headache

Nausea

Low blood pressure

Drug Interactions

Baclofen may interact with several medications and substances. Inform your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter products and herbal supplements.

Avoid or use with caution:

Alcohol – can increase drowsiness and dizziness

Antihistamines – may increase sedative effects

Medicines for depression, anxiety, and other mental conditions – including tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs); may cause additional reduction in brain function, muscle weakness, or low blood pressure

Medicines for pain – such as codeine, oxycodone, tramadol, and propoxyphene

Medicines for sleep – such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates

Phenobarbital – may increase sedative effects

Other muscle relaxants – may increase muscle weakness

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember—unless it is almost time for your next dose. If that’s the case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take double or extra doses to make up for a missed one.

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Overdose symptoms may include:

Severe drowsiness

Confusion

Hallucinations

Seizures

Muscle weakness

Respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing)

Coma

Storage

Store baclofen at room temperature between 15–30°C (59–86°F)

Keep the container tightly closed

Keep out of reach of children

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications, which does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. Information on this site cannot be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed upon with your healthcare adviser or the doctor in charge of your case. We disclaim reliability of this information and any mistakes it may contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site, nor for the consequences of self-treatment.

About Our Service Cydoctors.com is an online pharmacy based right here in Cyprus. We know that managing muscle spasticity and conditions like multiple sclerosis requires consistent, reliable access to your medication—so we’ve made our service straightforward, dependable, and built with your convenience in mind. Because we’re local to the island, we can arrange delivery in the shortest possible time. For our customers in Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos, we’re pleased to offer overnight delivery, so your baclofen can be with you by the next day, helping you stay comfortable, mobile, and in control of your muscles.