Baclofen

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

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 antispasmodic, analgesic and muscle relaxant effect on the body. The drug inhibits 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 instructions for the drug. The drug is prescribed for multiple sclerosis and paralytic syndromes. Baclofen helps in the treatment and prevention of brain and spinal cord lesions.

Baclofen is addictive and has many side effects, so it is important to use the drug only as directed. The drug helps treat seizures and spasms. Baclofen is effective in treating stroke, head injuries, and potential spinal cord tumors.

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Release form

Release form Baclofen tablets. The drug is available only with a medical prescription. Baclofen is available in 10 and 25 mg. That is, each tablet of the drug contains 10 or 25 mg of the active substance - pure baclofen. This release form simplifies the process of taking the drug and calculating the required dosage for treatment.

Baclofen tablets are sold in vials, 50 pieces each. Baclofen vials are placed in cardboard boxes with instructions for use of the drug in each. The drug must be stored only in the original packaging, observing 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 skeletal muscles, which occurs against the background of spinal cord lesions.

The drug inhibits muscle tone and skin reflexes, which significantly reduces tendon reflexes and their amplitude. Due to the hyperpolarization of nerve fibers and the inhibition of mono- and polysynaptic reflexes, the pharmacological action of Baclofen can be traced. The drug does not affect neuromuscular transmission. But a high dosage of the drug causes inhibition of the functions of the central nervous system.

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Pharmacokinetics

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

The drug penetrates into the body tissues and through the blood-brain and placental barrier. Plasma protein binding 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 in the feces. The period of complete drug elimination is 72 hours after administration.

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Dosing and administration

The method of administration and dosage of the drug are prescribed by the doctor individually for each patient and depend on the painful symptoms that are to be treated. It is better to take the drug 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. This dosage is 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. When stopping taking the drug, the dosage should be gradually reduced. It is prohibited to stop taking Baclofen abruptly, as this will lead to the appearance of side effects. If the drug is prescribed to children, the usual dosage is from 0.5 to 3 mg / kg of body weight. The dosage is increased until the desired therapeutic effect is achieved.

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Use Baclofen during pregnancy

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

The drug is prohibited to take during breastfeeding. Since together with milk, baclofen gets into the unprotected organism of the child. Treatment with the drug can be resumed only after stopping breastfeeding.

Contraindications

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

The drug is not prescribed for use during pregnancy and lactation. Please note that Baclofen is prohibited for patients under 12 years of age, i.e. it is contraindicated for children.

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Side effects Baclofen

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

The drug should be taken with special caution by people with cardiovascular diseases, as Baclofen causes chest pain, arterial hypotension and tachycardia. Rarely, such side effects as visual impairment, weight gain, increased sweating occur. 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 of Baclofen occurs when the drug is taken incorrectly, in high dosages, or when the drug is suddenly discontinued. The main symptoms of overdose include acute intoxication, loss of consciousness, insomnia, and respiratory failure. Some patients may experience hallucinations, vision problems, seizures, bradycardia, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle hypotension when overdosing.

In order to cure the symptoms of an overdose, it is necessary to wash out the stomach, take activated carbon or a saline laxative. If an overdose of Baclofen has caused a comatose state, the patient must be intubated. In case of mild intoxication, which has caused negative symptoms from the central nervous system or insomnia, patients are given physostigmine. In case of convulsions, intravenous diazepam is prescribed.

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Interactions with other drugs

Interaction of Baclofen with other drugs is possible only on medical advice. If the drug is taken with drugs that affect the central nervous system, and the patient abuses alcohol, then an increased sedative effect is possible. When interacting with lithium salts, hyperkinetic symptoms are observed, and antidepressants enhance the effect 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 simultaneously with levodopa or carbidopa, then increased excitability and confusion of consciousness may occur.

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Storage conditions

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

If the storage conditions of Baclofen are not observed, the drug loses its medicinal properties. If the storage conditions are violated, Baclofen is prohibited to take, as this can cause uncontrolled side effects.

Shelf life

The shelf life of Baclofen is five years, i.e. 60 months from the production date, which is indicated on the drug packaging. Upon expiration of the shelf life, the drug must be disposed of. Please note that the shelf life of Baclofen is affected by its storage conditions, failure to comply with which leads to premature loss of medicinal properties by the drug.

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