Baclofen and side effects

[Valerie64]

I've just started on Baclofen to (hopefully) ease the stiffness in my legs and my wobbly left foot, that was 10 days ago, 5mg x 3 per day and I'm struggling with it. I'm really tired to the point I have to lie down, feel woosy and my tongue seems stuck to the roof of my mouth, my arms feel like heavy jelly and my shins ache.

I couldn't function at work so I stopped the morning one and take the other 2 later on when I'm home.  I've read older posts and the information indicates these side effects might be temporary and ease after a while.  

are these all common side effects? Is it likely they could stop?  Is there an alternative to Baclofen?

any advice would be appreciated

Val

[transtechdave]

i take 20 mg 3 times a day to stop my body twitches. if i don't take my meds i start to spasm or twitch making my back pop out. i felt sleepy for a while than got used to it. if i feel tired from it i take a five hour energy. i drink it slow and it takes me about a half hour to drink it then i feel fine. i used to fall asleep just about everywhere but when i stayed busy i was fine. i also take tramadol and flexerills and amitriptolines for my pain. i still have pain but i can atleast walk again

[twopack]

Baclofen is an antispospodic.  Zanaflex (tizanidine) is another possibility but I'm not sure you'll need to make a switch.   Ten days probably isn't long enough to determine if baclofen is going to work for you.  

You may need to start at a lower dose and increase gradually to avoid side effects and find the lowest helpful dose for you.  The doc might have you take a larger dose at night but one dose at night won't last all through the day.  The drowsiness will probably decrease as you take more doses but the jelly feeling can stay if your muscles rely on a degree of rigidity to bear weight and function.  Each person must work to find the balanced dose that will relieve  the pain of spasticity yet retain as much function as possible.

Muscle relaxers work differently than antispasmodics.  They are usually more helpful with sprain and strain injuries but are sometimes used to treat the spasticity of MS also.

Mary

[HH26]

Hi there, I just wanted to clarify something.  While on baclofen I started having leg spasms unrelated to my spinal spasms and so when I told my doctor baclofen wasn't working, he explained it treats spasticity of spinal  and supraspinal (above your spine) muscles only.  So it does not relax all of your muscles but targets certain types.  

[jensequitur]

Speaking personally, I found that the only side effect of Baclofen was relaxing my muscles.  I'm on coumadin right now as well - have no idea if my dry mouth is from coumadin or Baclofen.  But the dry mouth didn't start till the coumadin.

It sounds like you're having a little flare.  I try to stay away from driving during flares.

[sllowe]

Hi Val,

Has it reduced spasms?  If so, stick to it if you can but def. keep to adjusting it to see what dosing is good for you. I'd say 5 mgs 3xs a day is definitely too much for you w/what you describe.

You breaking 10's in 1/2?

Baclofen stopped my spasms but did take a couple months to not be drowsy and slow moving in the mornings.

-shell

[bairdy]

hi
it says may cause drowsiness if effected do not drive or operate machinary..
thats why i take it at night and i drive ok. not sure about the dvla but if you go by the instructions it should be ok. but see how you go on
regards bairdy

[Valerie64]

thanks all,

I'm seeing my GP Wednesday to discuss it, I feel a little better this morning but I'm off work and just lazing around - wonder if that's making a difference,

Bairdy - until I speak to my GP I'll just take the Baclofen before I go to bed and hope it works for me the way yours does - is this one of the drugs our DVLA doesn't want you driving with?

thanks again

Val x

[bairdy]

hi i take my baclofen at night like the others have said....
it helps me sleep better and relaxes me it seems to set me up for the day i may have to increase the dose as time goes on but for now it helps me function
hope this helps bairdy

[anon07072023]

I think the side effects of Baclofen is muscle weakness, fatigue, and nausea.  When I first started taking it, I started out on 10 mg for 2 wks before I moved up my next dosage. I do remember that my legs felt a little more jelly-like at first and I had a dry mouth. But I wasn't unusually fatigued or nauseous.  

You can also try Zanaflex (Tizanidine).  I started on Tizanadine and my body couldn't really handle it. I always felt so exhausted and almost sick, like I had a constant hang-over.  But, I've heard a lot of people do really good on it.  I switched to Baclofen and it works much better for me.

Good luck,
Kelly

[RedFlame]

There are other muscle relaxers such as Flexeril that you could try.  The best thing is to call your doctor and let him know about your side effects.  Until then you could think of limiting until the evening like you are doing.    

Red

[HVAC]

Baclofen relaxes muscles therefore it relaxes all of you. I just take mine after I get home and am not going anywhere.

Also if you have an accident in most States on Baclofen it is your fault even if another car hits you. Any of the drugs with sedating qualities are considered DWI the same as drinking and driving.

Alex