How does baclofen work?
Long-term (chronic) muscle stiffness can happen in conditions where the nerves that supply your muscles have been damaged.
In these conditions, the muscles shorten (contract) tightly, and can then become stiff and harder to use. This is called muscle spasticity.
Baclofen works by relaxing your muscles, which reduces pain and discomfort.
How long does it take to work?
Baclofen tablets and liquid start to work after 1 hour of taking it. However, it might take a few days before you find the right dose to control your symptoms. Baclofen is usually started at a low dose and slowly increased over a few days.
What will happen if I stop taking it?
If your doctor decides to stop your treatment, your dose will be reduced gradually over 1 to 2 weeks.
This will stop you getting withdrawal symptoms such as:
- feeling anxious or confused
- seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- seizures or fits
- changes in mood or behaviour
- a fast heartbeat
- muscle spasms getting worse
Are there any long-term side effects?
Baclofen is unlikely to do you any harm if you take it for a long time. But if you have been taking it for a long time do not stop taking it suddenly without checking with your doctor.
Normally your doctor will reduce your dose gradually over a couple of weeks to reduce the risk of side effects.
Will it affect my contraception?
Baclofen does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception.
However, if baclofen makes you sick (vomit) or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.
Find out more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea.
Can I drive or ride a bike?
Baclofen may make you feel tired, sleepy or dizzy and can affect your vision. It might be best to stop driving and cycling for the first few days of treatment until you know how this medicine makes you feel.
It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking baclofen. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.
Can I drink alcohol while taking baclofen?
Alcohol may increase the drowsy (sedative) effects of baclofen tablets and make you very sleepy. It's best not to drink alcohol while you are taking baclofen until you know how the medicine makes you feel.
Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
Apart from avoiding alcohol, you can eat and drink normally while taking baclofen.
Will recreational drugs affect it?
Using cannabis, heroin or methadone with baclofen will increase the drowsy effects of baclofen. It can make you go into a very deep sleep.
There's a risk you will not be able to breathe properly, and you may have difficulty waking up.
Using cocaine or other stimulants like MDMA (ecstasy) and amphetamines with baclofen can also make you drowsy.
Talk to your doctor if you think you might use recreational drugs while taking baclofen.
You can find out more about the side effects of some recreational drugs on the Frank website.