Baclofen (Oral)

What is baclofen?

Baclofen is a medicine that treats muscle spasms and tight muscles. It may be helpful for children with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or other conditions which cause spastic or tight muscles. This medicine may also help control muscle movement.

You may hear baclofen called by its brand name, Lioresal. Baclofen comes in a tablet form. Some pharmacies will make a liquid form of baclofen.

Before giving baclofen to your child

Tell your child's doctor if your child has an allergy to baclofen.

Talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• diabetes (increased blood sugar)
• epilepsy (seizures)
• kidney disease
• mental or emotional problems
• stroke or other brain disease

How should you give your child baclofen?

• Give your child baclofen exactly as your doctor or your pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems better.
• Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving this medicine for any reason.
• Give your child baclofen at the same times every day. Pick times that are easy for you so that you do not miss doses.
• Have your child take baclofen with food or milk.
• If your child is taking liquid baclofen, shake the bottle well before you give your child the medicine. Measure the dose with the special spoon or syringe that the pharmacist gave you.
• If your child is taking part of a baclofen tablet, a tablet splitter will help. You can buy a tablet splitter at your pharmacy.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of baclofen?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

How long does baclofen take to work?

Your child may start feeling the effects of the baclofen 1 to 2 weeks after starting the medicine. Tell your child's doctor if baclofen is not helping your child.

What are the possible side effects of baclofen?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take baclofen. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• confusion
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• nausea
• stomach upset
• unusual weakness, especially in the muscles

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• convulsions (seizures)
• bloody or dark urine
• chest pain or uneven heartbeat
• ringing or buzzing in the ears
• blurred vision
• rash
• extreme weakness
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
• shortness of breath or trouble breathing

What safety measures should you take when your child is using baclofen?

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

In addition to taking baclofen, keep doing the things your child's doctor recommends to help tight muscles, like stretching exercises.

Baclofen may make your child dizzy, drowsy, and less alert than normal. Watch carefully when your child is doing something that they need to be alert for, such as climbing stairs. Your child's teacher should also know that your child is taking medication with these effects.

If your child is diabetic, baclofen may increase the blood sugar levels. Talk with your doctor if you notice any changes in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Do not suddenly stop giving your child this medicine. Unwanted effects may occur if the medicine is stopped suddenly. Check with your doctor for the best way to slowly stop taking baclofen.

What other important information should you know about baclofen?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child
• Baclofen liquid must be made by a pharmacy. Make sure your pharmacy is able to make baclofen liquid for your child
• Make sure you always have enough baclofen to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills
• Keep baclofen tablets at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store tablets in the bathroom or kitchen
• Keep baclofen liquid in the refrigerator. Do not freeze this medicine
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines

Keep baclofen (oral) out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much baclofen (oral), call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.