Home
Can't Find It? Search Here SEARCH
TOP TEN
DONATE
WHATS NEW!
Accessible Buttons ACCESSIBILITY
Learn About MS WHAT IS MS?
DEFINITION OF MS
TYPES OF MS
WHAT CAUSES MS
WHO GETS MS
HISTORY OF MS
DIAGNOSING MS
MS SYMPTOMS
MS MEDICINES
ALTERNATIVES
LIVING WITH MS
CAREGIVERS
CONDITIONS
MS FACTS
MS IS...
MS NEWS
GLOSSARY
Fun Stuff FREE GAMES
Forum - THE LINK
FROM CIR TO YOU
LETTERS 2 MONTEL
FAMOUS PEOPLE
Famous People A-Z
ARCHIVES
 FUN STUFF
CAN U SPELL MS
INTERVIEWS
FREE NEWSLETTER
Shops @ Life in Spite of MS ONLINE SHOP
BOOK SHOP
HEALTHY SHOP
MOBILITY SHOP
WEAR THIS! SHOP
Resources RESOURCES
MORE RESOURCES
RECOMMENDED
ARTICLES
MS GRAPHICS
MS ART GALLERY
MS IN THE NEWS
MS PRODUCTS
BOOK REVIEWS
MS ANSWERS
MS QUOTES
LINKS
FAQs
Your Pages ADD YOUR EVENT
YOUR PROGRAM
ADD MY 2 CENTS
YOUR PAGES
YOUR MS HERO
Your Own MS-SPACE
YOUR MS STORY
YOUR POEMS
YOUR MS VIDEOS
YOUR COMMENTS
SUGGESTION BOX
SURVEY
About Us ABOUT US
CONTACT US
WHY OUR SITE?
ABOUT SBI!
Free Downloads Free Online Success
Affiliates Course
Make Your Price Sell
Auction Selling
Netwriting
WAHM Course
Webmaster Business
Site Stuff DISCLAIMER
SITE MAP
AD POLICY
PRIVACY POLICY
MS POLL

Enter your E-mail Address

Enter your First Name (optional)

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you The MS Experience.

XML RSSSUBSCRIBE RIGHT HERE

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

 

Baclofen









Baclofen or Lioresal (it's brand name), is a medication that treats spasticity in MS patients. This symptom, spasticity, is very common when you multiple sclerosis. Lioresal helps the central nervous system (CNS), by easing spasms. It also helps reduce cramping and loosen tight muscles.







Lioresal may not help you very much if your arms or legs are already weak. If it eases your spasticity, it may be harder to walk on a leg that's limp. And using an arm that is limp may also be impossible.

You may be between a rock and a hard place if you have severe spasticity. This can be very painful. If so, you'd probably be better off taking baclofen or some other medicine that treats spasticity.


Dosage

Doctors usually prescribe a lower dose than increase it over a period of days. So you may start out with 5 mg. every 6 - 8 hours. Every 5 days, this may be increased by 5 mg. (10 --->15--->20--->mg. etc.). The idea is to take the lowest dose that works for you, without causing too much fatigue or weakness.

What you end up with can be any where between 15 - 160 mg. per day or more of baclofen. Again, this is determined by how well you tolerate the dose as it gets higher.

When you taking Lioresal, your doctor will probably do blood tests. This is to make sure your kidneys are working properly.


Side effects

Yes, we always make it to this section. And what medicine doesn't have side-effects? Even though Lioresal is well tolerated, it may take awhile for your body to get used to it.

Usually the following side-effects go away or lessen after a few weeks. If they last for several weeks, you will need to call your doctor.

  • drowsiness
  • unusual tiredness
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • increased weakness
  • confusion
  • trouble sleeping
  • clumsiness
  • unsteadiness
  • unusual bladder symptoms
  • unusual constipation

Go to the doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • fainting
  • hallucinations
  • severe mood changes
  • skin rash
  • itching

Symptoms of an overdose include the following:

  • sudden blurred or double vision
  • convulsions
  • shortness of breath
  • trouble breathing
  • vomiting

Some side-effects of baclofen may resemble some of the symptoms common to MS. If any symptoms come on suddenly, go to your doctor immediately to make sure. Better safe than sorry is the rule here.





<-----Go from Baclofen back to Multiple Sclerosis Medicines

<-----Go from Baclofen to Life in Spite of MS Blog

<----Go to Home Page




About Us|Contact Us|Survey
Disclaimer|Privacy Policy|Site Map|Search|FAQs|Advertising Policy|




New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.



Site Sponsor


JustAnswer.com



MS MEDICTIONS



Injection Site Tips Cover


Buy Now
Only $4.99!



SBI! Case Studies







copscape banner