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- $Unique_ID{BRK03044}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{baclofen}
- $Subject{Lioresal Geigy Muscle relaxant baclofen muscle spasms central nervous
- system brain spinal cord}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- baclofen
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Lioresal (Geigy)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Muscle relaxant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- baclofen
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (10 mg and 20 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Baclofen should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
- container.
-
- USES
-
- This medication is used to relieve muscle spasms. It is unclear exactly
- how baclofen works to relieve spasticity, but it is known that the drug acts
- on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Baclofen can be taken either on an empty stomach or with food or a full
- glass of milk or water.
- If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within an hour, take
- the missed dose immediately. If more than an hour has passed, do not take the
- missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not
- double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth,
- fatigue, headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, nasal congestion, vomiting, or
- weight gain. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
- medication.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or lying position, and be careful on stairs.
- To relieve mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
- piece of hard candy.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- chest pain, confusion, convulsions, depression, fainting, false sense of
- well-being, hallucinations, muscle pain, palpitations, ringing in the ears,
- slurred speech, tremors, or visual disturbances.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Concurrent use of baclofen with other central nervous system depressants
- (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
- muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers,
- and sleeping medicines) or with tricyclic antidepressants can lead to extreme
- drowsiness.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Be sure to tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you
- have had to any drugs, especially to baclofen.
- * Before starting to take baclofen, be sure to tell your doctor if you
- now have or if you have ever had diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, kidney disease,
- mental disorders, or a stroke.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, avoid taking part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car.
- * Do not stop taking this medication unless you have first checked with
- your doctor. Stopping therapy with this medication abruptly can lead to
- hallucinations, nervousness, convulsions, and mood changes. Your doctor may,
- therefore, want to reduce your dosage of this medication gradually.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although baclofen
- appears to be safe in humans, birth defects have been reported in the
- offspring of animals that received large doses of this drug during pregnancy.
- Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is not known
- whether baclofen passes into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-