What You Should Know About Baclofen? What Are the Side Effects?
By: Seomul Evans
Submitted: 2010-02-20 11:21:06 | Word Count: 695
Baclofen is a muscle relaxer and an anti spastic agent.
Baclofen is used to treat muscle symptoms caused by including spasm, multiple sclerosis, pain, and stiffness.
[ advertisement ]
Baclofen might also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the important information I should know about baleen?
Baclofen could cause side effects that might impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It could increase some of the side effects of baclofen. Don t use baclofen at once when muscle tone is necessary to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations it might endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone.
You might have withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or hallucinations, when you stop using baclofen after using it over a long time period. Don t stop using this medication abruptly without 1st talking to your doctor. You might need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking baclofen?
Don t use this medication if you re allergic to baclofen.
Before taking baclofen tell your doctor if you re allergic to any drugs or if you have:
Kidney disease epilepsy or other seizure disorder or a history of blood clots or stroke
If you ve any of these conditions, you might need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C
This medication might be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you re pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It s not known whether baclofen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a breast feeding baby. Don t use this medication without telling your doctor if you re breast feeding a baby.
Older adults might be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.
Don t give this medication to a child small than twelve years old.
How should I take baclofen?
Take this medication precisely as it was prescribed for you. Don t take the medication in larger amounts or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor might occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
You might take baclofen with or without food.
Store baclofen at room temperature away from moisture and heat
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you recollect. If it s almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next scheduled time. Don t take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you ve used too much of this medicine.
Baclofen overdose symptoms may include vomiting, muscle weakness, pinpoint pupils, drowsiness or dilated weak or shallow breathing, coma or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking baclofen?
Baclofen could cause side effects that might impair your reactions or thinking. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It could increase few of the side effects of baclofen.
Don t use baclofen at once when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations it might endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone.
What are the possible side effects of baclofen?
Get emergency medical help if you ve any of these signs of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your face, tongue, lips or throat. Call your doctor at once if you ve any of these serious side effects:
Seizure (convulsions)
Confusion, hallucinations; or
An uneven heartbeat.
Less serious baclofen side effects may include:
Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, tired feeling;
Headache;
Sleep problems (insomnia);
Nausea, constipation; or
Urinating more often than usual.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
