Baclofen injection for intrathecal use

What is this medicine?

BACLOFEN (BAK loe fen) is a muscle relaxer. It is used to treat severe spasms.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into the space around the spinal cord. It can be given by a health care professional in a clinic or hospital setting. Patients can also have a pump implanted into their back for a continuous infusion.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 4 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in emotions or moods

• changes in vision

• chest pain

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• hallucinations

• loss of balance or coordination

• ringing of the ears

• seizures

• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• trouble walking

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in taste

• confusion

• constipation

• diarrhea

• dry mouth

• headache

• muscle weakness

• nausea, vomiting

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medication with any of the following medicines:

• narcotic medicines for cough

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold

• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep

• certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline

• certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone

• general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol

• local anesthetics like lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine

• medicines that relax muscles for surgery

• narcotic medicines for pain

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

What if I miss a dose?

It is important to keep your appointments to have this medicine administered or to refill your pump. If you cannot make your appointment, contact your health care provider to make other arrangements.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding disorders

• diabetes

• mental illness

• kidney disease

• recent stroke

• seizures

• an unusual or allergic reaction to baclofen, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine. If you do, you may develop a severe reaction. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects. Follow the advice of your doctor.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking another medicine that also causes drowsiness, you may have more side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all medicines you use. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. Do not take more medicine than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing or unusual sleepiness.