Baclofen: what it does and how to use it safely
Baclofen is a prescription muscle relaxant used mainly to treat spasticity from conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. It can reduce painful spasms and help you move more comfortably, but it also comes with side effects and safety concerns. This short guide tells you what baclofen does, how people usually take it, and practical safety tips so you know what to expect.
What baclofen treats and how it works
Doctors prescribe baclofen for muscle stiffness and spasms caused by nerve damage. It works on the central nervous system by acting on GABA-B receptors, which helps calm overactive nerve signals. That quieting effect eases spasms, reduces pain from tight muscles, and can improve daily activities like walking or dressing in some patients.
Baclofen comes as oral tablets or an intrathecal pump (a device that delivers medicine directly into the spinal fluid) for severe cases. The pump is used when high doses cause too many side effects by mouth or when better control is needed.
Dosage basics, side effects, and safety tips
Typical oral starting doses are low—often 5 mg two to three times a day—with gradual increases every few days. Many people find relief on 30–80 mg per day split into several doses. Never raise the dose quickly without your doctor's OK. If a pump is used, dosing is set by a specialist.
Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and headache. These often improve after a few days or weeks. More serious problems—confusion, trouble breathing, severe sedation, or hallucinations—need urgent medical attention.
Do not stop baclofen suddenly. Stopping it abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms like increased spasticity, hallucinations, high fever, and even seizures. If you and your doctor decide to stop the medicine, your doctor will reduce the dose slowly over days or weeks.
Mixing baclofen with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, or other sedatives increases the risk of severe drowsiness and breathing problems. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take. People with kidney problems may need lower doses because the kidneys clear baclofen from the body.
Practical tips: take baclofen at the same times each day, avoid driving until you know how it affects you, and take small doses at bedtime if drowsiness is a problem. Keep follow-up visits so your doctor can adjust the dose and check for side effects.
When to call your doctor: signs of severe drowsiness, breathing trouble, new or worsening mood changes, spasms that suddenly worsen, or any possible withdrawal symptoms after missing doses. Buy baclofen only with a valid prescription and from a licensed pharmacy. If you see an online seller offering it without a prescription or proper licensing, avoid them.
This overview helps you understand baclofen’s role and risks. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for specific advice tailored to your health history and other medicines you take.
