Baclofen

Baclofen is a neurotropic drug that refers to drugs that affect neuromuscular transmission. Let's look at the indications for its use, dosage, side effects and the possibility of interaction with other medicines.

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant and has a strong effect on the transmission of neuromuscular impulses. The drug has an antidepressant effect and has an antispastic, analgesic and miorelaxing effect on the body. The drug depresses the poly and monosynaptic reflexes of the spinal cord, which significantly reduces muscle tone.

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Indications Baclofen

Indications for use of baclofen are indicated in the product instructions. The drug is prescribed for multiple sclerosis and paralytic syndromes. Baclofen helps in the treatment and prevention of lesions of the brain and spinal cord.

The use of baclofen is addictive and has many side effects, so it is extremely important to use the drug only as directed. The drug helps cure cramps and spasms. Baclofen is effective in the treatment of stroke, head trauma and potential spinal cord tumors.

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Release form

Form release Baclofen tablets. The drug is only released on medical prescription. Baclofen produced by 10 and 25 mg. That is, each tablet of the drug contains 10 or 25 mg of the active substance - pure baclofen. This form of release facilitates the process of taking the drug and calculating the necessary dosage for treatment.

Baclofen tablets are sold in vials, 50 each. Baclofen vials are placed in boxes of cardboard with instructions for the use of the drug in each. Store the product only in its original packaging in compliance with the storage conditions and rules.

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Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacodynamics Baclofen is a biochemical effect that occurs with harmful microorganisms. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant with a central mechanism of chlorophenylbutyric acid. The active substance of the drug reduces the increased tone of the muscles of the skeleton, which occurs against the background of lesions of the spinal cord.

The drug depresses muscle tone and skin reflexes, which significantly reduces tendon reflexes and their amplitude. Thanks to the hyperpolarization of nerve fibers and the suppression of mono and polysynaptic reflexes, one can trace the pharmacological action of Baclofen. The drug has no effect on neuromuscular transmission. But a high dosage of the drug causes oppression of the central nervous system.

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Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics Baclofen is the biological and kinetic processes that occur with the drug after application. The drug is absorbed by the stomach. The maximum concentration in the blood plasma is observed in 2-3 hours after administration, and persists for 6-8 hours.

The drug penetrates into the tissues of the body and through the blood-brain and placental barrier. Binding to blood plasma proteins is at the level of 30%. Part of the drug (about 15%) is metabolized in the liver. Almost 80% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine as metabolites, and the remaining 20% is excreted with feces. The period of complete elimination of the drug is 72 hours after application.

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Dosing and administration

The way of application and dose of the drug is prescribed by the doctor individually for each patient and depends on the painful symptoms that are to be treated. The drug should be taken before meals, as this will not affect the absorption and distribution process. The initial dose of the drug for adults is 5 mg three times a day. Such dosages are adhered to during the first three days of taking the drug. This is necessary in order to find out how the body reacts to the drug, and prepare it for an increase in the dosage of Baclofen.

In many patients, the therapeutic effect occurs after 30-75 mg of the drug per day. In this case, the daily dose should not exceed 100 mg. If you cancel the drug, the dosage should be gradually lowered. Sharply stop taking Baclofen is prohibited, as this will lead to the appearance of side-effects. If the drug is prescribed to children, the usual dosage is 0.5 to 3 mg / kg body weight. Dosage is increased until the desired therapeutic effect is achieved.

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Use Baclofen during pregnancy

Use of baclofen during pregnancy is only possible if the therapeutic effect of treatment for the mother is much more important than the potential threat to normal development for the child. Especially dangerous is the use of baclofen in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. In the early stages, the drug can cause pathologies and improper development of the organ systems in the child. In late pregnancy, the use of baclofen can lead to premature birth and complications during the birth process.

The drug is not allowed for breastfeeding. Since together with milk, baclofen enters the child's unprotected body. Resume treatment with the drug can only be after stopping breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of baclofen are associated with individual intolerance of the drug. Also, the drug is contraindicated for patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcer of the duodenum or stomach.

The drug is not prescribed for use during pregnancy and lactation. Note that baclofen is prohibited for patients who have not reached the age of 12, that is, it is contraindicated for children.

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Side effects Baclofen

Side effects of baclofen occur if the dosage and time of taking the drug are not observed or if there are contraindications to its use. Very often, side effects occur when the dose is raised for elderly patients. The main symptoms of side effects Baclofen: drowsiness, nausea, severe headaches and weakness, insomnia. Some patients have confusion, a sense of euphoria and hallucinations.

With extreme caution, the drug should be taken to people who have cardiovascular disease, since Baclofen causes chest pain, arterial hypotension, and tachycardia. Rarely are there such side effects as visual impairment, weight gain, increased sweating. If side effects occur, it is necessary to wash the stomach and consult a doctor to adjust the dose of the drug.

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Overdose

Overdose Baclofen occurs when the drug is taken incorrectly, increased dosage, or abrupt withdrawal of the drug. The main symptoms of an overdose cause acute intoxication, loss of consciousness, insomnia, and breathing disorders. Some patients with overdose may experience hallucinations, vision problems, seizures, bradycardia, nausea, diarrhea, muscle hypotension.

In order to cure the symptoms of overdosage, it is necessary to wash the stomach, take activated charcoal or salt laxative. If an overdose of Baclofen caused a coma, the patient must be intubated. With mild intoxication, which caused negative symptoms from the central nervous system or insomnia, patients are injected with physostigmine. When convulsions are prescribed intravenous diazepam.

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Interactions with other drugs

Interaction of baclofen with other drugs is possible only on medical recommendations. If the drug is taken with drugs that affect the central nervous system, and the patient is abusing alcohol, then there may be increased sedation. When interacting with lithium salts, hyperkinetic symptoms are observed, and antidepressants strengthen the action of Baclofen, but reduce muscle tone.

When interacting with antihypertensive drugs, it is necessary to adjust the dosage of both drugs. When interacting with ibuprofen, symptoms of renal failure may occur. If baclofen is prescribed concurrently with levodopa or carbidopa, then there may be increased excitability and confusion.

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Storage conditions

Baclofen storage conditions are standard for drugs of this form of release. Baclofen should be stored in a dry room, which is protected from sunlight and not accessible to children. Storage temperature should not exceed 25 ° C.

If the storage conditions of Baclofen are not observed, the drug loses its medicinal properties. If storage conditions are not respected, baclofen should not be taken, as this can cause uncontrolled adverse reactions.

Shelf life

Shelf life Baclofen is five years, that is 60 months from the date of production, which is indicated on the package of the drug. After the expiry date, the drug must be disposed of. Please note that the shelf life of Baclofen is affected by its storage conditions, non-compliance leading to premature loss of medicinal properties.

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