Baclofen for muscle spasm – Medicines For Children

This leaflet is for parents and carers about how to use this medicine in children. Our information may differ from that provided by the manufacturers, because their information usually relates to adults. Read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Do not stop giving Baclofen suddenly, as this may cause serious side-effects.

• Name of medicine
• Why is it important for my child to take Baclofen?
• What is Baclofen available as?
• When should I give Baclofen
• How much should I give?
• How should I give Baclofen?
• When should the medicine start working
• What if my child is sick (vomits)?
• What if I forget to give it?
• Are there any possible side effects?
• Side effects you must do something about
• Can other medicines be given at the same time as Baclofen?
• Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?
• General advice about medicines
• Where should I keep this medicine?
• Who to contact for more information?

Name of medicine

Baclofen

Brand names: Baclospas, Lioresal, Lyflex

Why is it important for my child to take Baclofen?

Baclofen is used to help with severe muscle spasm (spasticity) in children. This may be due to cerebral palsy and other conditions that affect the brain or spinal cord. Baclofen will help your child’s muscles to relax. This will help your child to move, and make it easier and less painful for you to move them. Baclofen may also help to reduce muscle pain.

What is Baclofen available as?

Tablets: 10 mg
Liquid Medicine: 1 mg in 1 mL

Different tablets or medicines may contain different ingredients in addition to Baclofen. Read the packet or leaflet that comes with it to find out if the medicine contains anything that your child should not have. All of the above products have to be ordered specially by your pharmacist.

When should I give Baclofen

You and your doctor will decide together when and how often to give Baclofen. This will be decided according to your child’s needs.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of Baclofen (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

You will start by giving your child a small amount and then increase the dose bit by bit. Your doctor will ask you how well the medicine is working, and may suggest that you change the amount you give, or when you give it, to get the best effect. If you think the dose is not right, talk to your doctor.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give Baclofen?

Tablets

Baclofen should be taken with or just after food

Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablet.

Your doctor may have told you to give half or quarter of a tablet.

Liquid medicine

Measure out the right amount using a medicine spoon or oral syringe. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

When should the medicine start working?

Your child’s muscles should begin to feel less stiff after taking baclofen regularly for 3–4 days. It may take up to 10 days for the maximum effect.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of Baclofen, give them the same dose again.

If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of Baclofen, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you forget to give a dose, your child’s muscles may become a little stiffer. Give the dose as soon as you remember. Wait at least 4 hours before giving the next dose.

Are there any possible side effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side effects).

Side effects you

must do something about

If your child has a seizure (also called a fit or convulsion) or is very sleepy or difficult to wake up, they may have had too much Baclofen. Take them to hospital straight away.

If your child has difficulty breathing, take them to hospital straight away. Tell the doctor that your child is taking Baclofen. Take the medicine or packaging with you.

There may sometimes be other side effects that are not listed above. If you notice anything unusual and are concerned, contact your doctor. You can report any suspected side effects to a UK safety scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

Can other medicines be given at the same time as Baclofen?

• You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.

• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal and complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?

If Baclofen does not seem to be controlling your child’s muscle spasms, contact your doctor for advice.

• If your doctor decides that Baclofen is not right for your child, you will need to reduce the dose bit by bit over a few weeks so that your child doesn’t get side-effects. Do not reduce the dose without talking to your doctor first.
• If your child is already taking other medicines, tell your doctor before starting Baclofen.
• If your child has kidney problems, tell your doctor before starting Baclofen.
• Baclofen may not be suitable for children with stomach ulcers, mental health problems or who have difficulty passing urine (having a wee). If your child has any of these conditions, tell your doctor.

General advice about medicines

• Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.

• Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.

• If you think someone else may have taken the medicine, contact a doctor straight away.

• Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.

• Make sure that the medicines you have at home have not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where should I keep this medicine?

• Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.

• Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge. Do not store above 25°C.

• Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information?

Your doctor, pharmacist or physiotherapist will be able to give you more information about Baclofen and about other medicines used to treat muscle spasticity.

Copyright disclaimer

Version [2]. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild, all rights reserved. Review by March 2017.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk.

We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.

Is Baclofen Addictive? What Is It Used For?

On Posted on August 13, 2020May 3, 2023
by Dr. Joseph N. Ranieris D.O.
to Addiction Treatment

Jump to Section

What is Baclofen?

Baclofen is a medication prescribed to people that need pain relief from muscle spasms. Although it is still not exactly known how, baclofen is believed to be able to treat painful muscle spasms by interacting with your central nervous system’s GABA receptors and blocking the signals that your nervous system sends out to your muscles to spasm. Baclofen can also improve muscle movement. 

Because of the relaxing effects that baclofen has on muscles, baclofen is considered a muscle relaxer. If you need it to be, you can also use baclofen as one of a combination of medications for combination therapy. People with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal injury and disease are primary candidates for the use of baclofen.  

Baclofen can come in the form of an oral tablet, oral solution, oral powder for suspension, or spinal injection. The peak concentration of baclofen in the bloodstream occurs 1-3 hours after taking the medication orally. The half-life of baclofen is 3-4 hours in the plasma, and the total shelf life of baclofen after its date of manufacture is 3 years. Only a healthcare provider can give you the spinal injection form of baclofen. 

Baclofen is a generic medication. Some brand name versions of baclofen include Gablofen, Lioresal, and Kemstro. Lioresal is the most well-known brand name version of baclofen. 

Many people wonder if baclofen is addictive and is there such a thing as a baclofen withdrawal. To find out the answer to this question, you must first learn about the different ways that people use and misuse baclofen and the effects that such use and misuse causes.

Baclofen Side Effects

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Muscle weakness 
• Confusion
• Upset stomach

More dangerous and severe side effects of baclofen include seizures and difficulty breathing.  

Using Baclofen to Treat Addiction

Baclofen was originally created to treat epilepsy but was only minimally successful. It was not until 2009 when a cardiologist named Olivier Amiesen published a memoir that talked about how he was able to recover from alcoholism by taking baclofen that researchers started to look into the ways that baclofen could be helpful in treating addiction. 

There have been many reports and claims of baclofen helping with addiction treatment since that time. Although baclofen use for addiction treatment has become prominent in the medical field, because there is still not enough research to prove that baclofen can help treat addiction, it is still considered an off-label addiction treatment medication. 

Baclofen is used as an off-label addiction treatment medication because its chemical makeup mimics gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a bodily chemical that calms your mood. As a result, baclofen has a calming effect that causes dopamine levels to increase in the body.  

By increasing the body’s dopamine levels, baclofen helps people feel better when dealing with cravings. In fact, the feel-good effects of baclofen can lessen cravings for other substances altogether. As a result, baclofen helps people suffering from addiction manage their withdrawal symptoms. 

Baclofen is great for helping people manage their withdrawals and dependence on substances such as alcohol, opioid, cocaine, and tobacco. Clinical research trials have particularly shown promise in baclofen treating opioid addiction. 

Baclofen Dosage

According to the Electronic Medicines Compendium, you should increase and decrease your dosage of baclofen gradually over time. The action of gradually increasing and decreasing your dosage of medications is called tapering. Not tapering your baclofen dosage could lead to severe side effects. 

The recommended maximum daily dose of baclofen is 100 mg. Most baclofen prescriptions are in small and frequent doses. You’re supposed to take oral forms of baclofen around 3 times a day. When you start taking baclofen, you should do so in small doses at first and then gradually increase to larger doses. When you are stopping taking baclofen, do so in small increments over a period of 1-2 weeks. 

If you suddenly stop taking baclofen, your muscle spasms may get worse. If you miss your doses or do not take your baclofen as scheduled, it may not work as well as it should. This is because a certain amount of baclofen must be in your body at all times for baclofen to work properly. Taking too much baclofen could cause severe side effects or an overdose. 

Risks of Taking Baclofen

Taking baclofen can cause severe allergic reactions. For example, if allergic to baclofen, you could develop trouble breathing and/or swelling of your throat or tongue. Taking baclofen again after a severe allergic reaction could lead to death. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest not taking baclofen if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. 

If you have epilepsy, baclofen could make your seizures worse. Therefore, make sure to talk to your doctor about whether or not baclofen is safe for you to use. 

People with kidney problems or kidney disease may have issues clearing baclofen from their bodies. As a result, the levels of baclofen in your body when taking it could reach higher than normal levels and cause side effects. To counterbalance this, your doctor may prescribe you a lower than normal dosage of baclofen to start. 

People with a history of strokes could develop more side effects to baclofen than the average person. Baclofen may not even be able to treat your muscle spasms if you have a history with strokes. 

Other people that could develop more side effects to baclofen include the elderly, and people with impaired renal function. If you have galactose intolerance, active peptic ulceration, or porphyria, do not take baclofen. If you have severe psychiatric disorders, seizure disorders, sphincter hypertonia, liver disease, or diabetes mellitus, take baclofen with extreme caution. Baclofen may also not be right for you if you are already receiving antihypertensive therapy. 

Ask your doctor if baclofen is safe for you to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Children under the age of 12 should not take baclofen. 

Baclofen Misuse

Because of the calming effect and the feel-good increase of dopamine levels that baclofen has on the body, many people start misusing baclofen. One way that people misuse baclofen is by taking more than what is prescribed to them. 

Another way people misuse baclofen is by mixing it with other substances to increase their feel-good effects. If you misuse baclofen while also taking alcohol, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, or other muscle relaxants, it can cause you to experience weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, and imbalance. 

Mixing Baclofen With Other Medications and Substances

Oftentimes, people will combine baclofen with central nervous system depressants to increase its effects. Other substances that people often mix baclofen with to receive a high are opioids, alcohol, and amphetamines.  

Mixing baclofen with other substances is dangerous because it can lead to severe side effects. It is also dangerous because it could cause baclofen to interact with other substances. 

When a medication interacts with another medication or substance, it alters the effects that that medication or substance has on your body. Some substances and medications that baclofen interacts with include alcohol, anesthetics, tricyclic, antidepressants, antihypertensives, dopaminergic, lithium, memantine, and NSAIDs. 

If you are taking other medications for health reasons, make sure to tell your doctor that before you also start taking baclofen. Taking baclofen with other central nervous system depressants could lead to severe levels of drowsiness. Therefore, you should not operate a vehicle or any other form of heavy machinery while taking this combination of medications. 

Examples of other central nervous depressants include benzodiazepines, like triazolam and midazolam, and narcotics, like oxycodone and codeine.

Mixing Baclofen With Alcohol

Because baclofen and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants, mixing them heightens both of their effects to dangerous levels. People who take baclofen may mix it with alcohol to heighten their euphoric and calming effects. This is not wise as the extreme levels of drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, changes in mood, and agitation that mixing baclofen and alcohol will give you is dangerous. 

Mixing alcohol and baclofen can even increase your blood pressure and heart rate and cause you to have seizures. Drinking alcohol while taking baclofen can also cause you to unknowingly overdose on baclofen. 

Symptoms of Baclofen Overdose

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Severe muscle weakness
• Problems breathing
• Seizures
• Coma
• Slowed breathing or respiratory arrest
• Heart issues
• Slowed heart rate
• Vertigo
• Low body temperature
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of consciousness
• Trouble breathing

Is Baclofen Addictive? 

With the euphoric effects that it can cause and the high levels of misuse that it has, of course, it is. If you cannot stop taking baclofen without experiencing withdrawals, then it means that you have developed a dependence on it. 

If your dependence gets so bad that your behavior changes and you will do almost anything to obtain more baclofen, you are suffering from a baclofen addiction.

Baclofen Withdrawal

Chronic misuse of baclofen can lead to dependence and addiction. Once you develop dependence or addiction to baclofen and you try to stop taking the medication, baclofen withdrawal symptoms arise. This is especially true if you stop using baclofen cold turkey. 

Baclofen withdrawal symptoms include:

• Visual. tactile, and auditory hallucinations
• Confusion. Delirium, and Delusion
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Memory problems
• Anxiety
• Changes in perception
• Hyperthermia
• Depersonalization
• Psychosis
• Mania

• Changes in behavior and mood
• Tachycardia
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Fever
• Extreme rebound muscle rigidity and spasticity

Baclofen Addiction Treatment

If you are suffering from a baclofen addiction treatment, know that hope is not lost. Baclofen addiction treatment usually consists of detox, some form of inpatient or outpatient treatment, support groups, and aftercare. Because the sudden stop of baclofen can lead to dangerous effects, it’s important to slowly wean yourself off of the medication during detox. 

Baclofen detox is essential when receiving addiction treatment for baclofen because of the severity of baclofen withdrawal symptoms. If necessary, you can receive medical interventions or co-occurring treatment during baclofen detox. 

Because you will go through an intense detox during your baclofen addiction treatment, it is wise to attend an inpatient or residential treatment program afterward. That way you can receive the 24/7 care that you’ll need to remain sober after treatment is done. 

Discovery Institute Is Here to Help You

At Discovery Institute, we offer numerous detox programs. If you are suffering from a baclofen addiction, you should consider entering our prescription drug detox program.  

After detox, you can then attend our very effective residential or intensive outpatient treatment program. If you are suffering from a mental illness on top of your addiction, we also offer dual diagnosis treatment. We even provide numerous different forms of individual and group counseling and therapy.  

Whether you are looking to receive addiction treatment for baclofen or some other substance or mental health issue, Discovery Institute is here to help. To learn more about the addiction treatment services that we provide, contact us today.

Dr. Joseph N. Ranieris D.O.

Dr. Joseph Ranieri D.O. earned his BS in Pharmacy at Temple University School of Pharmacy in 1981 and His Doctorate Degree in Osteopathic Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1991. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine Addiction Certification. Dr. Ranieri has lectured extensively to physicians, nurses, counselors and laypeople about the Disease of Addiction throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 2012.

BAKLOFEN: instructions, reviews, analogues, price in pharmacies

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How do you rate the effectiveness of BACLOFEN?

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• Indications for use
• Method of administration
• 0003 Side effects
• Contraindications
• Pregnancy
• Interaction with other drugs
• Overdose
• Storage conditions
• Formulation
• Composition 9000 4

Baclofen suppresses skeletal muscle hypertonicity caused by spinal cord lesions, exhibits inhibitory effect on skin reflexes and muscle tone. Also, under the influence of the drug, the amplitude of tendon reflexes slightly decreases.
The pharmacological action of the drug Baclofen is possibly associated with hyperpolarization of the ascending nerves and inhibition of monosynaptic, polysynaptic reflexes in the spinal cord. Baclofen does not affect the process of neuromuscular transmission.
It is believed that Baclofen acts on the nerve centers located supraspinally, since at high doses the drug inhibits the functions of the central nervous system.

Indications for use

Indications for use of the drug Baclofen are: spastic conditions in spinal cord dysfunction (trauma, tumors of the spinal cord, lesions of motor neurons, syringomyelia, transverse myelitis). Indications for use are also spastic conditions in hemorrhagic stroke, head injuries, meningitis, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis.

Directions for use

Preparation Baclofen is taken orally, best with meals. The minimum effective dose that does not cause side effects is prescribed individually.
For adults, the recommended doses should be taken according to the scheme: an initial dose of 5 mg (half a tablet of Baclofen 10 mg) three times a day for 3 days. Thereafter, on every fourth day of treatment, a single dose should be increased by 5 mg (taken three times a day) until a dose of 20-25 mg three times a day is reached.

Recommended Dosage Schedule

Take three times a day, increasing the dose by ½ tablet of Baclofen
every 3 days (1 tablet of Baclofen contains 10 mg).
first three days of treatment – 5 mg (½ tablet Baclofen 10 mg)
next three days of treatment – 10 mg (1 tablet Baclofen 10 mg)
next three days of treatment – 15 mg (1 ½ tablets Baclofen 10 mg)
next three days of treatment – 20 mg (2 tablets Baclofen 10 mg)
next three days of treatment treatment – 25 mg (2 ½ tablets Baclofen 10 mg)
In most cases, after taking daily doses of 30 mg to 75 mg, a positive effect of the drug is observed. If necessary, patients are prescribed 25 mg tablets, with a daily dose of 75 mg -100 mg. The duration of treatment depends on the condition of the patient. It is necessary to reduce the dose of the drug gradually, since a sudden cessation of administration can provoke an exacerbation of spastic conditions and the occurrence of hallucinations.

The daily dose of Baclofen should not exceed 100 mg.
The dose of the drug for elderly patients is recommended to be increased gradually, as the risk of side effects increases.

For children, the recommended daily dose is 0.75 – 2 mg/kg body weight. Starting dose 5 mg twice a day. Children ≥ 10 years of age maximum daily dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight.
children aged 6 to 10 take 30 to 60 mg per day;
children aged 2 to 6 take 20 to 30 mg per day;
children aged 12 months to 2 years take 10 – 20 mg per day.
If necessary, to obtain the best therapeutic effect, the dose should be increased carefully every three days.

The daily dose of Baclofen should not exceed 100 mg.
In patients with renal dysfunction, as well as dialysis, the dose of the drug is reduced to 5 mg per day.

Side effects

When using the drug Baclofen , side effects in most cases occur with a sharp increase in dose, or in the elderly. Most often, side effects weaken and stop after the dose is reduced. Treatment must be interrupted in case of severe side effects.
Side effects on the central nervous system: general weakness of the body (fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headache, drowsiness, insomnia at night, weakness). Occasionally, mental disorders are observed, such as agitation, depression, euphoria, hallucinations, disorientation, paresthesia, asthenia. Also side effects are muscle pain, lack of coordination, dry mouth, tremor, breath holding, vomiting, night terrors, restless sleep. In patients with epilepsy, the threshold for seizures and seizures may decrease. In rare cases, the drug can cause hypotension, breathing problems, tachycardia, unconsciousness, chest pain. Also, the drug can provoke problems with the digestive system: abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, constipation, blood in the stool, impotence. A side effect is also the absence, incontinence or retention of urine, significant excretion of blood in the urine, impotence, impaired ejaculation. Sensory disturbances, hyperhidrosis, allergic skin reactions, ankle edema, excessive sweating, exacerbation of spastic conditions may occur.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of the drug Baclofen are: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, peptic ulcer.

Pregnancy

Preparation Baclofen crosses the mother’s placenta and is also excreted in milk. Taking the drug during pregnancy or lactation is possible if, in the opinion of the doctor, the result is the ratio of benefit to the mother / potential risk to the fetus (child) is sufficiently high.

Interaction with other medicinal products

Baclofen may increase the threshold of action of alcohol and drugs that affect the central nervous system, resulting in increased sedative effect;
Intake of lithium salts – exacerbation of hyperkinetic symptoms of manifestations;
Antihypertensive drugs – increased hypotensive effect;
Drugs with kidney failure as a side effect may cause intoxication of the body;
Carbidopa, levodopa – in Parkinson’s disease, mental disorders are possible;
When interacting with the drug fentanyl – an increase in the period of anesthesia.

Overdose

Overdose of Baclofen may cause these side effects. The following reactions are also possible: peripheral vasodilation, hyporeflexia or areflexia, anxiety, impaired visual reactions, bradycardia, convulsions, a decrease in body temperature, an increase in the level of lactate dehydrogenase, ALT and AST.
At the first stages of an overdose, gastric lavage is recommended, as well as the use of laxative salts if necessary.
coma – intubation before gastric lavage; respiratory disorders – artificial respiration and procedures are required to restore the stability of the cardiovascular system; convulsions – intravenous administration of diazepam.
There is no specific antidote for the active ingredient in Baclofen.
In case of intoxication, violation of the central nervous system (especially with oppression of respiratory function and loss of sleep, intravenous administration of 1-2 mg of physostigmine is carried out for 5-10 minutes). In the absence of a positive effect, it is necessary to re-inject physostigmine 30 to 60 minutes after the previous injection.
To increase the excretion of baclofen from the body, diuretics are used simultaneously with the intake of large amounts of fluid.

Storage conditions

Preparation Baclofen store in a dry place, protected from direct rays, at t≤ 25 ° C. Keep out of the reach of children.

Presentation

Baclofen – tablets in packages; in a polypropylene jar 50 pcs.; in a pack of cardboard 1 bank.

Composition

1 tablet Baclofen contains 10mg or 25mg of the active ingredient baclofen; Excipients: starch, corn talc, lactose, magnesium stearate, gelatin, ethylcellulose.

General parameters

Name:	BAKLOFEN
ATC code:	M03BX01 – Baclofen
Manufacturer:	Polpharma (Polpharma), Poland, Starogard Gdanski, polpharma. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website