Baclofen 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.

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.

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.

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 (especially of the face/tongue/throat), 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.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking baclofen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

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.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

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.

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.

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.

Do not share this medication with others.

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.

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 July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.