Re: Baclofen for muscle cramping

[Guest guest]

As an RN (I have CMT also), I have seen Baclofen (Lioresal) used extensively

for muscle spasms and cramps in orthopedics, neurology and pain management

situations with excellent results. It is also widely used in spinal cord

injury patients and those with multiple sclerosis to help keep their

spasticity under control as it is not as sedating as other muscle relaxants.

They all have the potential to make you drowsy, sleepy, light-headed because

they affect the central nervous system.

Keeping in mind that EVERY patient is different, most therapeutic

maintenance doses are maxed out at 80mg. a day. This is one medication, for

anyone interested, that you must work your way up to in dosage. Usually it

is 5mg. 3x/day for 3 days, then 10mg. 3x/day for 3 days, 15mg 3x/day, 20mg.

3x/day for 3 days. Again, therapeutic levels may be reached sooner

depending on each individual's response. You should avoid activities that

require alertness until you know what the central nervous system response

is. The drowsiness usually passes after the initial doses. You SHOULD NOT

drink alcohol or take any over the counter (OTC) antihistamines while taking

Baclofen. Antihistamines increase the occurrence of drowsiness and

dizziness.

Probably more info. than you wanted to know, but after being a nurse for

over 24 yrs., I have found that not every patient hears what the doctor is

telling them about medications at the time of the appointments. After all,

we can only absorb so much, right??

Make the most of your life!!

Blair, RN, MA, COHN-S