Baclofen (Terry White Chemists)

Generic Name: Baclofen
Product Name: Baclofen (Terry White Chemists)

Indication

• Baclo may be used in the suppression of muscle spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis.
• It may also be used in the management of patients with spinal cord lesions of traumatic, infective, degenerative and malignant origins, which may have caused muscle and bladder dysfunction.

Action

• Baclo is an antispastic agent that acts on the spinal cord.
• It also acts as a central nervous system depressant.
• It depresses monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflex transmission, most likely due to the stimulation on GABAB receptors which inturn inhibit the release of excitatory amino acids (e.g. glutamate and aspartate) – hence lessening nerve impulses to muscles in spasm.
• Baclo also has an antinociceptive effect (pain relief) however the mechanism by which this occurs is not yet known.

Dose advice

• Small doses should be initially administered, which gradually increase in a stepwise manner according to the patients symptoms.
• Baclo should be taken with meals and a glass of water.
• Treatment usually involves 3 divided doses daily and initially doses should be in the range of 5mg three times daily. The dose is subsequently increased by 5mg three times daily every 3 days or until the desired response is achieved.
• Optimum dosage range is usually 30-75mg daily, however the daily dosage should be individually tailored to the patient according to their requirements.

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

• Mainly occur at the start of treatment and may be due to a rapidly increased dosage, a too large dose or due to the patients other health problems (e.g. kidney failure)
• These all can be alleviated by reducing the dose. Some side effects may include:
• paradoxical increase in spasticity
• lowered blood pressure
• nausea
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• dryness of mouth
• muscle pain
• muscle weakness
• sedation and drowsiness
• headache
• mental confusion
• insomnia
• euphoria
• visual disturbances
• increased sweating
• skin rash
• pain on urinating
• increase urine frequency

Uncommon side effects

• psychiatric disturbances
• abnormal heart rhythms
• shortness of breath
• palpitations
• chest pain
• ankle swelling
• abdominal pain
• liver disorders
• numbness
• joint pain
• ‘blackouts’ or short fainting spells
• taste disturbances
• urine retention
• impotence
• blood in urine
• nasal congestion
• weight gain

For further information talk to your doctor.