Baclofen is used to treat pain and some forms of spasticity (tightness and stiffness of the muscles) brought on by multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or other disorders affecting the spinal cord. The drug baclofen belongs to the group of drugs known as skeletal muscle relaxants. The amount and severity of muscular spasms brought on by multiple sclerosis or spinal cord disorders are reduced by the action of baclofen on the spinal cord nerves. Additionally, it enhances muscular movement and decreases discomfort.

The two forms of baclofen for oral use are tablets and liquid solutions. Typically, it is taken three times a day, three times apart. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take the medication precisely as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

When measuring and ingesting your baclofen solution dose, use an oral syringe (measurement tool). If an oral syringe is not provided with your prescription, ask your pharmacist for one.

Even if you feel good, keep taking baclofen. In particular, if you have been taking heavy dosages of baclofen for a while, do not stop taking it without first consulting your doctor. Sudden discontinuation of this medicine may result in seizures, fever, disorientation, tight muscles, or hallucinations. Your dose will likely need to be reduced gradually, according to your doctor.

Before taking baclofen,

• If you have any allergies, including those to any of the substances in baclofen tablets and oral solution, notify your doctor and pharmacist right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Antidepressants, drugs for anxiety, medications for mental disease, medications for seizures, sedatives, sleeping pills, or tranquillizers should all be mentioned. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have had had kidney disease, rheumatic disease, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, a stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, or cerebral palsy.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor right away if you get pregnant while taking baclofen.
• Be aware that baclofen could cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
• Inquire with your doctor if drinking alcohol is safe while taking baclofen. The negative effects of baclofen can be made worse by alcohol.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Baclofen might have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Headache
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Tiredness
• Excessive urination

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Give your doctor a call right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms:

• Seeing or hearing things or voices that are not there
• Seizures

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store the pills away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). The oral solution should be kept in the fridge.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Vomiting
• Muscular tone is poor
• Drowsiness
• Vision issues
• Coma
• Having trouble breathing
• Seizures

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.