Baclofen

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Fleqsuvy; Gablofen; Lioresal; Lyvispah; Ozobax DS; Ozobax [DSC]

Brand Names: Canada

APO-Baclofen; Baclofen-10; Baclofen-20; Lioresal Intrathecal; MYLAN-Baclofen; PMS-Baclofen; RIVA-Baclofen

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat spasms in patients with MS (multiple sclerosis) or spinal cord problems.
• It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

All products:

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.

Infusion:

• If your child has an infection.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
• Talk with your child’s doctor before your child uses marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your child’s actions.
• Do not stop giving this drug to your child all of a sudden. Your child may have a greater risk of side effects. These may include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), seizures, high fever, stiff muscles, and feeling confused. Rarely, this can lead to organ problems and even death. If your child needs to stop this drug, slowly stop it as ordered by the doctor. Talk with the doctor if your child has any new or worsening signs.
• If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.

If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:

• Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
• Taking this drug during pregnancy may lead to withdrawal in the newborn.

Injection:

• Talk with your child’s doctor if this drug stops working well. Do not give more than ordered.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Feeling confused.
• Mental, mood, or behavior changes that are new or worse.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Seizures.
• Change in balance.
• Change in eyesight.
• Chest pain.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Muscle stiffness.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Change in how often urine is passed.
• Blood in the urine.
• Swelling in the arms or legs.
• Trouble controlling body movements, twitching, change in balance, trouble swallowing or speaking.
• Not able to control eye movements.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Headache.
• Constipation.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Tablets:

• Give this drug with or without food.

All liquid products:

• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.
• Do not use a household teaspoon or tablespoon to measure this drug. Doing so could lead to the dose being too high.

Liquid (suspension):

• Shake well before use.
• Those who have feeding tubes may use some brands of this drug. If your child has a feeding tube, be sure you know if your child’s brand can be used. Give as you have been told. Flush the feeding tube after this drug is given.

Oral granules:

• This drug may be put right into your child’s mouth. The granules will dissolve in the mouth or your child can swallow them. If needed, this drug can also be mixed in liquids or soft foods like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. Mix 1 packet in up to 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of liquid or soft food. If your child’s dose is more than 1 packet, mix each packet by itself. Give this drug within 2 hours after mixing.
• Those who have feeding tubes may use this drug. Use as you have been told. Flush the feeding tube after this drug is given.

Infusion:

• It is given into the spine.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

All oral products:

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Infusion:

• Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Tablets:

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• If you split the tablets, you may need to throw them away after a certain amount of time. Be sure you know how long you can store the split tablets. If you are not sure, call the pharmacist.

Liquid (solution):

• Some brands of this drug are stored in the refrigerator. Some brands are stored at room temperature. Ask your pharmacist how to store this drug.
• Do not freeze.
• Protect from light.

Liquid (suspension):

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Throw away any unused portion 2 months after opening.

Oral granules:

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

Infusion:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2024-06-28

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