Drug Database - Baclofen

Generic Name: Baclofen (BAK-loe-fen)

Brand Names: Lioresal®

Classification: Muscle Relaxant

Issue Date: 1978

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Baclofen may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking baclofen. Do not stop taking baclofen suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause seizures or hallucinations. Your doctor will want to gradually reduce you dose.

Take baclofen exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• You can take baclofen with or without food.
• Do not stop taking baclofen suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause seizures or hallucinations.
• Talk to your doctor first if you need to stop taking this medication.
• Store baclofen at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

You may not be able to take baclofen, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether baclofen will harm an unborn baby. Do not take baclofen without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether baclofen passes into breast milk. Do not take baclofen without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Seek emergency medical treatment. Symptoms of a baclofen overdose include:

• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Drowsiness
• Slow breathing
• Seizures
• Unusual pupil size
• Coma

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Baclofen may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking baclofen.

Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking baclofen and seek emergency medical attention:

• An allergic reaction:
• difficulty breathing
• closing of your throat
• swelling of your lips, tongue, or face
• hives
• Seizures
• Irregular heartbeat

Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take baclofen and talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Weakness
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Unusual Fatigue
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Stuffy Nose
• Blurred Vision
• A Rash
• Frequent Urination

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Many drugs can increase the effects of baclofen, which can lead to heavy sedation. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• brompheniramine (Dimetane®, Bromfed®, others)
• chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®, Teldrin®, others)
• azatadine (Optimine®)
• clemastine (Tavist®), and many others
• meperidine (Demerol®)
• morphine (MS Contin®, MSIR®, others)
• propoxyphene (Darvon®, Darvocet®)
• hydrocodone (Lorcet®, Vicodin®)
• oxycodone (Percocet®, Percodan®)
• fentanyl (Duragesic®)
• codeine (Fiorinal®, Fioricet®, Tylenol #3®, others)
• phenobarbital (Solfoton®, Luminal®)
• amobarbital (Amytal®)
• secobarbital (Seconal®)
• chlorpromazine (Thorazine®)
• fluphenazine (Prolixin®)
• mesoridazine (Serentil®)
• perphenazine (Trilafon®)
• prochlorperazine (Compazine®)
• thioridazine (Mellaril®)
• trifluoperazine (Stelazine®)
• doxepin (Sinequan®)
• imipramine (Tofranil®)
• nortriptyline (Pamelor®)
• fluoxetine (Prozac®)
• paroxetine (Paxil®)
• sertraline (Zoloft®)
• phenelzine (Nardil®)
• tranylcypromine (Parnate®)

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect baclofen. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.