Indication of healthsense Baclofen:
- Baclo may be used in the suppression of muscle spasms in patients with Multiple Sclerosis- It may also be used in the management of patients with spinal cord lesions of traumatic, infective, degenerative and malignant origins, which may have caused muscle and bladder dysfunction
Action of healthsense Baclofen:
- Baclo is an antispastic agent that acts on the spinal cord- It also acts as a central nervous system depressant- It depresses monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflex transmission, most likely due to the stimulation on GABAB receptors which inturn inhibit the release of excitatory amino acids (e.g. glutamate and aspartate) - hence lessening nerve impulses to muscles in spasm. - Baclo also has an antinociceptive effect (pain relief) however the mechanism by which this occurs is not yet known
Dose Advice of healthsense Baclofen:
- Small doses should be initially administered, which gradually increase in a stepwise manner according to the patients symptoms- Baclo should be taken with meals and a glass of water- Treatment usually involves 3 divided doses daily and initially doses should be in the range of 5mg three times daily. The dose is subsequently increased by 5mg three times daily every 3 days or until the desired response is achieved- Optimum dosage range is usually 30-75mg daily, however the daily dosage should be individually tailored to the patient according to their requirements
Schedule of healthsense Baclofen:
S4
Common side effects of healthsense Baclofen:
- Mainly occur at the start of treatment and may be due to a rapidly increased dosage, a too large dose or due to the patients other health problems (e.g. kidney failure)- These all can be alleviated by reducing the dose.- Some side effects may include: - paradoxical increase in spasticity- lowered blood pressure- nausea- constipation- diarrhoea- vomiting- dryness of mouth- muscle pain- muscle weakness- sedation and drowsiness- headache- mental confusion- insomnia- euphoria- visual disturbances- increased sweating- skin rash- pain on urinating- increase urine frequency
Uncommon side effects of healthsense Baclofen:
- psychiatric disturbances- abnormal heart rhythms- shortness of breath- palpitations- chest pain- ankle swelling- abdominal pain- liver disorders- numbness- joint pain-
