Baclofen is a muscle relaxant doctors use to treat spasticity from conditions like multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or stroke. It calms overactive reflexes in the spinal cord so muscles stop being stiff or tight. People take it as pills or, in complex cases, through a pump that delivers the drug into the spine.
Typical oral dosing starts low and rises slowly. Many adults begin with 5 mg three times daily and your doctor may increase it stepwise. Some patients end up on 30–80 mg per day divided into doses. Intrathecal pumps use much smaller amounts and need a specialist for programming and refills. Always follow your prescriber’s schedule—don’t double doses or speed up increases without medical advice.
You may feel sleepy, weak, dizzy, or nauseous when you start or after a dose increase. These side effects often lessen after a few days. If you notice severe confusion, breathing trouble, or fainting, get medical help right away.
Stopping baclofen suddenly can cause serious problems: increased spasticity, high fever, hallucinations, seizures, and even life-threatening symptoms—especially with intrathecal pumps. Taper slowly under medical supervision. If you need to stop, your doctor will give a step-down plan that suits your dose and how long you’ve been taking it.
Baclofen adds to the sleepiness caused by alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and some sleep medicines. Avoid heavy drinking and be cautious with other sedatives. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may lower your dose because the drug leaves the body slower.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding data are limited. Tell your provider if you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding so they can weigh risks and benefits and offer alternatives if needed.
Missed dose? Take it as soon as you remember unless it’s near the next dose—then skip the missed one. Don’t take two doses to catch up.
Practical tips: take baclofen with food if it upsets your stomach, sit or stand slowly if you feel dizzy, avoid driving until you know how it affects you, and keep a list of all medicines so your doctor can check interactions. Store pills in their original container away from heat and children.
If you’re buying medication online, use only licensed pharmacies and confirm prescriptions with your doctor. Our site has articles that explain safe online ordering and how to spot pharmacy scams.
Questions for your clinician: What starting dose makes sense for me? How will we increase or decrease the dose? What signs should prompt an urgent call? Asking these three things helps you stay safe and get the benefit you need from baclofen.
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