Prescription:

Lioresal (Baclofen) is most commonly used to help with symptoms of muscle spasm or cramping and tight or rigid muscles that are caused by some medical problems like multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or cerebral palsy. It is in a class of medications called muscle relaxants and works in the brain to relax muscles. Relaxed muscles increase mobility and make it somewhat easier to participate in physical therapy programs that are designed to improve the underlying condition.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Lioresal tablets and syrup contain the active ingredient baclofen, which is a muscle relaxant drug. Baclofen is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. Baclofen is used to relax muscle spasms that cause muscles to become rigid, painful or weak and prevent the muscles being used voluntarily. Examples include muscle spasm and rigidity in multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and following a stroke. In situations such as these the muscle problems stem from damage to the nerves in the brain or spinal cord. Baclofen is thought to work by binding to receptors in the spinal cord called GABA-B receptors. The effect of this is to "damp down" the nerve signals that are carried in the spinal cord to the muscles. This reduces the contraction and tension in the muscles. In conditions where there is painful or disabling muscle spasm, baclofen can help to reduce stiffness and enable people to undergo rehabilitation that increases their mobility.

Treatments

Relief from rigidity, tension and stiffness in muscles that are due to conditions such as: * Multiple sclerosis * Tumours in the spinal cord * Motor neurone disease * An injury of the neck or back causing serious damage to the nerves contained within the spinal cord * Stroke * Cerebral palsy * Head injury

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Drowsiness * Disturbances of the gut, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea * Lightheadedness * Slow, shallow breathing * Confusion * Headache * Difficulty sleeping * Mood changes * Muscle weakness * Shaky movements and unsteady walk * Tremor * False perceptions of things that are not really there * Nightmares * Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes * Dry mouth * Increased need to pass urine * Decreased blood pressure * Fits * Visual disturbances