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.

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

Symptoms of an overdose include the following:

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.