Understanding Baclofen

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant developed in the 1960s in Switzerland. It was first marketed to treat epilepsy! Most patients take it orally, though an injection into the spine is also available. The starting dose of this medication is fifteen milligrams daily for three days. Doctors will gradually increase the dose. The maximum is eighty milligrams daily! A pump delivers lower doses when patients need it. Either way, though, patients need to be monitored on this medication!

Many patients take baclofen as a multiple sclerosis treatment. However, it is not the only available medication for multiple sclerosis! It is also a common prescription for muscle spasms pain relief. Many patients benefit from taking this medication for stiff muscles, especially when they also have a condition like multiple sclerosis. However, all patients need to understand how it works as a treatment for multiple sclerosis and for other uses first!

How It Works

This medication is amazing! It is a GABA-B agonist, which means that it relaxes muscles by activating these receptors. This also makes it quite similar to pregabalin, another strong medication! Baclofen also blocks some reflexes and the release of specific neurotransmitters.

The patient's body absorbs this medication quite quickly. It has a half-life of only two to four hours! This is why individuals need to take it multiple times daily. Patients will get rid of this medication through their kidneys. It also does not change much in their body. Thus, it is a useful medication for liver disease patients. This is especially so if their condition is related to alcohol.

Reveal the uses for this medication next.