How and when to take baclofen

Your doctor will decide the right dose of baclofen for you. It's important to take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Dosage and strength

Baclofen tablets come in 10mg strengths. The liquid contains 5mg of medicine in 5ml.

The usual starting dose for adults is 5mg (half a tablet), taken 3 times a day, 6 to 8 hours apart.

Your doctor will then gradually increase your dose to 20mg, taken 3 times a day.

If you're given baclofen injections, the dose will depend on your condition and symptoms. The doctor will start by giving you or your child single doses to see how the injection works. If your symptoms get better, a special pump can be put into your chest or gut. This allows the medicine to be given continuously.

For babies and children, your doctor will use your child's weight or age to work out the right dose.

How to take it

It's better to take baclofen tablets with or after food.

If you or your child are taking baclofen as a liquid, it will come with a plastic syringe or medicine spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

How long to take it for

You may need to take baclofen for a long time to control muscle spasms.

If you've been having baclofen through an injection or pump for a long time, you may find that it stops working as well as it used to. You may need to stop having treatment for a short time to give your body a rest. Your doctor will be able to give you advice on this.

If you forget to take it

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's less than 2 hours until your next dose, it's better to leave out the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

Stopping baclofen

If you stop taking baclofen suddenly, you may get withdrawal side effects 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

You doctor will reduce your dose gradually before stopping it completely. This will help prevent these side effects.

If you take too much

Taking more than your prescribed dose of baclofen can cause serious side effects such as:

• feeling unusually sleepy (drowsy)
• difficulty breathing
• muscle weakness or spasm
• seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
• feeling agitated
• seizures or fits
• feeling dizzy or fainting
• a slow or irregular heartbeat

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the baclofen packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.