Baclofen: A Medication That Treats Spasticity
About Baclofen: Baclofen is a generic for several branded drugs: Lioresal, Kemstro, Gablofen, Liofen. If you have persistent pain in your muscle caused by extreme physical activities or an injury due to an accident, you can buying baclofen. Though, Baclofen can be used for other reasons or purposes other than as a muscle relaxer. For instance, some people have used it as a treatment for alcohol dependency, hiccups and as medicine lower the body temperature. However, excessive use of Baclofen has its side effects which must be considered before you start using it. For one, it impairs your thinking capabilities and might not be taken when someone is driving or indulging in other activities which need a high concentration level. Baclofen might also expose you unsafe physical conditions by reducing your muscle tone.
How Baclofen Works: Baclofen acts like GABA to block the action of nerves on the section of the brain responsible for controlling the relaxation and contraction of skeletal muscle.
How To Take Baclofen: Baclofen should be taken as prescribed by your doctor without altering the dose in any way whatsoever. This implies that you are neither allowed to reduce or increase the dose of Baclofen from the optimal prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner. If you have been taking Baclofen for a long period of time, then you should not stop taking abruptly to avoid side effects such as withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor might change the dose you have been taking after some time to obtain the best results from Baclofen. However, you have to see him/her first before making any alterations to the dose.
If the muscle pains persist after two weeks of taking the right dosage of Baclofen, then you should see your doctor again. Withdrawal symptoms include hallucinations and seizures which can be avoided if you stop taking Baclofen gradually. The doctor will prescribe a small dosage which is taken for some days before you stop depending on Baclofen completely.
Precautions And Side Effects Of Baclofen: There are a few exceptions who should not take Baclofen to avoid adverse effects to their health. If you are allergic to Baclofen then you should avoid it and instead replace it with another medication which works in a similar way. Other conditions which might make the use of baclofen inappropriate include kidney disease, epilepsy and strokes in your past medical history. Baclofen also increases risk of developing ovarian cysts.
It has not been proven whether the usage of Baclofen by an expectant woman has any imminent danger to the unborn baby. However, the medication has stronger effects to children under the age of 12 and persons already in their old age. It follows that an expectant mother should avoid taking the medication to avoid harming their unborn. Although it is yet to be proven whether Baclofen can pass through breast milk, lactating mothers are also advised to avoid the medication. Baclofen can also have side effects when one takes it and drink alcohol.