Sometimes, after an accident or due to a neurological condition, the muscles in the body suddenly become stiff and painful, right? It feels like the body is turning into stone. Baclofen is a very useful medicine that doctors often recommend to control such muscle spasms and stiffness. Today we are talking about this Baclofen solution.
What exactly is Baclofen?
Simply put, Baclofen is a drug that relaxes your muscles. To be precise, it belongs to a group of drugs called 'muscle relaxants'. This drug works by controlling unwanted signals from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles, reducing their stiffness and rigidity. This greatly reduces the pain and discomfort you feel. Your doctor may also sometimes prescribe it for other conditions.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before giving you Baclofen, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This is because it can be risky to use this medicine if you have certain medical conditions. Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Illness or condition | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | Baclofen can cause changes in blood pressure. |
| If you have had a previous stroke | Caution should be exercised if there is a history of such nervous system diseases. |
| Kidney disease | This medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If the kidneys are weak, the medicine may accumulate in the body and increase the side effects. |
| Mental health disease | Some mental states may change due to this medication. |
| Ovarian cysts | It is important to inform the doctor about this as well. |
| Seizures | Baclofen may affect the control of epileptic seizures. |
| Allergic reaction to Baclofen or other medicines, foods, or dyes | If you have had any allergies before, you should definitely mention it. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to seek medical advice about the use of medication during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Talk to your doctor about this, as the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This is a liquid that you take by mouth. It is very important to take the dose exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Be sure to use the special oral syringe, cup, or dropper that comes with the medicine to measure the medicine. Do not use teaspoons or tablespoons that you have at home, as they cannot measure the exact dose.
Most importantly: Keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to. Never stop taking it suddenly without medical advice. Doing so can cause serious side effects and make your condition worse.
When given to children
Children over the age of 12 can be given this medicine in some special cases. But only your doctor can decide about it. Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to children, talk to your doctor about it.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Other medications that may interact with Baclofen
You should also be careful about other medications you take when taking Baclofen. Some medications can interact with Baclofen, increasing side effects or changing how the medication works.
In particular, avoid taking Baclofen with the following:
- Some narcotic cough medicines
Baclofen may also interact with the following:
- Alcohol
- Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines)
- Medications for anxiety or sleep
- Some medications for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline)
- Some medications for epilepsy (e.g. phenobarbital, primidone)
- General anesthetics
- Narcotic pain medication
- Other muscle relaxants
- Medicines for some mental illnesses (Phenothiazines)
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbs, and supplements) . Don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to consider when taking medication
- Go for regular medical checkups: Be sure to go to the clinic on the days your doctor prescribes to see if your symptoms are improving or not.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Don't get up too quickly: Don't get up suddenly from a standing or sitting position, especially if you're elderly. Doing so can make you dizzy and cause you to fall.
- Absolutely avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol can greatly increase the drowsiness effects of this medication, which can lead to dangerous consequences.
- Other sleeping pills: Tell your doctor if you are taking other sleeping pills for pain, sleep, or anxiety. Taking these medications together can cause serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medication, Baclofen can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common. It is important to be aware of these.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, fainting, severe dizziness, confusion, inability to stay alert. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Common side effects | Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, muscle weakness, nausea. |
How to keep medicine safe?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store this liquid medicine in the fridge at a temperature between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.
- Never put it in the freezer. Do not let it thaw.
- Protect from light. Keep the bottle cap tightly closed.
- Do not use expired medications . Throw them away.
When disposing of unused or expired medications, ask your doctor for advice. Sometimes, before throwing them in the trash, you may be advised to mix them with something like used coffee grounds or soil, put them in a bag, seal it, and dispose of them.
Take-Home Message
- Baclofen is a medication that reduces muscle stiffness and rigidity.
- It is very dangerous to suddenly stop taking this medication without medical advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.
- This medication may cause drowsiness, so be careful when performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving. Avoid alcohol completely.
- Always use only a special measuring device provided for measuring medication.
- Store the medicine in the refrigerator as directed and keep it out of the reach of children.
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