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Baclofen

 

Baclofen (generic Lioresal) Review

brand name: Generic only. No brands available.
generic name: Baclofen

Baclofen is used for:

Treating muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis or other diseases. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant. It reduces the frequency and severity of muscle spasms that occur as a result of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Baclofen (Lioresal)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Baclofen.

Before taking Baclofen (Lioresal), tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of stroke or blood clots.
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• kidney disease;

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 12 years old.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Baclofen (Lioresal), or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Baclofen (Lioresal) passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before using Baclofen (Lioresal):

Some medical conditions may interact with Baclofen (Lioresal). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you have epilepsy or seizures, planning to become pregnant, or dietary supplement
• if you are pregnant, herbal preparation, or other substances
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, foods, or have had a stroke
• if you have allergies to medicines, or are breast-feeding
• if you have kidney problems or kidney failure

Ask your health care provider if Baclofen (Lioresal) may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Baclofen (Lioresal). However, no specific interactions with Baclofen are known at this time.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about Baclofen (Lioresal) written for health professionals that you may read.

Important safety information:

• Baclofen (Lioresal) may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Baclofen with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Baclofen; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Baclofen (Lioresal) is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor . You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Baclofen during while you are pregnant. It is not known if Baclofen (Lioresal) is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Baclofen.

If you suddenly stop taking Baclofen (Lioresal), you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including hallucinations and seizures. Therefore, except for serious adverse reactions, the dose should be reduced slowly when the drug is discontinued.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Baclofen (Lioresal), please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Baclofen is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Baclofen (Lioresal). If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, pharmacist, check with your doctor, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: September 5, 2007 Database Edition 07.3.1.003 Copyright © 2007 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.