Baclofen

[Alyson66]

Just been prescribed baclofen, anyone else on it?is it any good? what are the side effects?, thanks in advance

[mantel]

This is what is written on the Southern California RLS website drug page. I have no personal knowledge of this medication and I don't think It is one that is commonly prescribed. I could be wrong though. There are others on this site who have more knowledge than me

theLioresal (Baclofen)

This drug is used as a muscle relaxant and anti-spasm medication. It is used in MS to alleviate muscle spasms and the resultant pain. Lioresal was found in one study to decrease the arousals from PLMD (the intensity of the movements was decreased). Its effect on daytime RLS symptoms is less well understood.

Lioresal comes in 10 and 20 mg tablets. It should be started at the lowest dose (5 mg, 1-3 times per day) and increased every 3 days until symptoms are relieved. The average dose for MS patients for muscle spasticity is 40-80 mg per day. The most common side effect is drowsiness; weakness and fatigue can also be a common problem.

[rstein02]

I've been on Baclofen for a few years now for my MS related spasticity. It does make me drowsy and I take Provigil to combat that. I have had to increase my dose over time to get the same effect. When the dose is increased too much my muscles become weaker. I currently take 20 mg every 6 hours.