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Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1- To treat muscle spasm |
| Common Side Effects | 1- Feeling sleepy, tired, dizzy or weak 2- Nausea or vomiting 3- Diarrhea 4- Headaches 5- Sleeplessness 6- Dry mouth 7- Blurred vision 8- Excessive sweating |
| Additional Information | Avoid taking alcohol or tobacco with this medicine. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | The medicine should be taken orally |
Baclofen Summary
Baclofen 10 mg is a muscle relaxant that helps ease stiffness and spasms by calming nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord. It’s important to take it exactly as prescribed, as stopping it suddenly can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. Common side effects include dizziness, tiredness, and muscle weakness. If you have kidney problems or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before using it. Alongside taking baclofen, lifestyle changes like daily stretching, regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet can help manage muscle pain. Getting enough sleep and avoiding alcohol can also improve how you feel overall. Make sure to follow your doctor’s advice to stay safe and feel better.
Baclofen Uses
Baclofen 10 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of skeletal muscle relaxant medicines. It is used as muscle relaxant.
Directions for use
- Take baclofen exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking baclofen without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it.
Baclofen side effects
More Common
- Feeling sleepy, tired, dizzy or weak
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Sleeplessness
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Excessive sweating
- Increased urination
- Vertigo
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion
Less Common
- Bloody or dark urine
- Chest pain
- Clumsiness, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control
- Fainting
- False sense of well-being
- Mental depression or other mood changes
- Pounding heartbeat
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there
- Skin rash or itching
- Slurred speech or other speech problems
- Swelling of the ankles
- Unexplained muscle stiffness
- Unusual excitement
How Baclofen works
Baclofen works by activating GABA B receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate and aspartate. This helps calm overactive nerve signals that cause muscle stiffness and spasms. Stopping baclofen suddenly can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, or delirium, especially after high doses or long- term use. To avoid this, the dose should be reduced gradually under medical supervision.
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 1- Kidney Dysfunction
If you have severe kidney dysfunction, inform your doctor, as the use of baclofen in such cases can lead to the accumulation of the medicine in the brain, potentially causing neurotoxicity.
📌 2- Pregnancy
The use of baclofen during pregnancy may result in a condition called omphalocele, where the intestines bulge out of the abdominal wall.
Baclofen Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking baclofen 10 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Baclofen Interaction with Food Product
Baclofen does not interact with any food products, but alcohol should be avoided before and after taking the medicine, as it can increase or decrease the effect of medicine.
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep away from the reach of children
Baclofen Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
2-[2-(2,6-dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetic acid
Intake routine/cycle
📌 Daily dose
Take baclofen exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
📌 Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 Overdose
Do not consume more than 200 mg of baclofen. Symptoms of an overdose include altered mental status, excessive sleepiness, seizures, hypothermia, breathlessness, and coma. If someone you know has taken this medicine and shows these symptoms, take them to hospital immediately.
Dietary and Lifestyle Management
If you have chronic muscle pain, you should make some changes to your diet and lifestyle to help manage the pain. The following are some lifestyle changes you can adopt to reduce pain from spastic muscles:
Stretching
Stretching daily is important. While it may not completely prevent pain, it helps prevent muscles from shortening or shrinking, thereby reducing the risk of symptoms worsening.
Daily Exercise
Your physician may recommend specific exercises to help with muscle pain. Follow your physician’s advice and exercise daily, as this can significantly reduce your pain.
Dietary Changes
A study published in 2021 reported that patients with muscle pain who changed their diet by replacing low-saturated fats and processed foods with fruits and vegetables experienced less fatigue and felt better overall. Adopting a healthy diet by replacing trans fats, low-saturated fat foods, and processed items with nutritious alternatives can also reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.
Sleep Well
Getting proper nighttime sleep can be challenging with spastic muscle pain, but it is essential to aim for at least 8 hours of sleep. Sleep deficiency can trigger muscle pain. To improve sleep quality, avoid caffeine before bedtime and stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
FAQ’s
1. Can baclofen be used for hiccups?
➡️ In a case study conducted on two patients, it was found that baclofen provided relief from chronic hiccups.
2. How long does baclofen take to work?
➡️ Baclofen starts showing its effects in about an hour.
3. Will baclofen make you sleepy?
➡️ Yes, baclofen can make you sleepy, and this is one of its side effects.
Reference
- NHS. Side effects of baclofen [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Jan 24]. Available from.
- Australian Medicines Handbook [Internet]. Baclofen. Adelaide: AMH; c2020 [updated 2023 Jan 24; cited 2025 Jan 24]. Available from.
- Walker P, Watanabe S, Bruera E. Baclofen, a treatment for chronic hiccup. Journal of pain and symptom management. 1998 Aug 1;16(2):125-32. Available from.
- NHS. Common questions about baclofen [Internet]. NHS.uk; 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 24]. Available from.
- Ghanavatian S, Derian A. Baclofen. [Updated 2024 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from.
- Amanda G, Ambra P, Hundaol S, Aniruddha B, Miriam M. Baclofen Withdrawal-Induced Psychosis in the Setting of Renal Insufficiency. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2022 Jan-Dec;10:23247096221110402. doi: 10.1177/23247096221110402. PMID: 35975933; PMCID: PMC9527529. Available from.
