Clofen (Baclofen)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Clofen Used For?
Clofen contains baclofen, a muscle relaxant that helps reduce muscle stiffness and spasms to make you more mobile and better able to manage your daily activities.
Primary Uses
Clofen is used to treat muscle spasms that occur in various conditions such as multiple sclerosis and diseases or physical injuries of the spinal cord.
How It Works
This medicine reduces spasms and the pain that goes with them, helping to make you more mobile and better able to manage your daily activities.
How to Take Clofen
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many tablets to take. Treatment usually starts in hospital with small doses that are gradually increased to find the amount that works best for you.
Dosage Instructions
Treatment typically starts at 15 mg per day, then slowly increases to 30-75 mg daily. Sometimes doses up to 100 mg per day may be needed. Clofen is usually taken in 3 divided doses throughout the day. Swallow tablets whole during meals with a glass of water. If you’re under 16 or over 65, or have kidney disease, your doctor may start with a lower dose.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Do not exceed the dose prescribed by your doctor.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Daytime sleepiness or drowsiness
- Lack of energy, tiredness
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Mental confusion
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Nausea, retching, or vomiting
- Constipation, stomach cramps, or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Stuffy nose
- Dry mouth
- Change in sense of taste
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Swelling of ankles
- Blurred or double vision
- Ringing in ears
- Frequent urination
- Excessive sweating
- Weight gain
- Impotence or inability to ejaculate
- Increased blood sugar
- Feeling cold
- Hair loss
- Misuse, abuse and dependence
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, hives, swelling, breathing difficulties)
- Uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting eyes, head, neck, or body
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Irregular heartbeat (fast or slow)
- Chest pain
- Fainting or seizures
- Depression or severe mood/behavioral changes
- Hallucinations
- Thoughts of suicide
- Anxiety, confusion, paranoia from sudden drug withdrawal
- Extreme tiredness with uncontrolled muscle jerks
- Unable to urinate or pain when urinating
- Blood in urine
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Clofen.
Who Should Not Take Clofen
Do not use Clofen if you are allergic to baclofen or any ingredients in the tablets. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, or hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, muscle stiffness, stomach ulcers, stroke, blood circulation problems, diabetes, porphyria, high blood pressure, difficulty urinating, heart/kidney/liver/lung problems, history of alcoholism or drug abuse, or thoughts of self-harm.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. There is limited information on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If taken during pregnancy, your baby may have convulsions and withdrawal symptoms after delivery.
Elderly Patients: If you are over 65, you should be especially careful and report any side effects promptly to your doctor, as older people are more likely to experience side effects.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Clofen and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Medicines that make you sleepy (sleep aids, pain relievers, cold/allergy medicines)
- Medicines for mood disorders (tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs)
- Diabetes medicines
- Blood pressure medicines
- Parkinson’s disease medicines (selegiline, levodopa, carbidopa)
Alcohol & Driving
Clofen can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol, so special precautions are needed.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Clofen, as alcohol may make you feel more sleepy.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use machines until you know how Clofen affects you. This medicine may cause sleepiness and decreased alertness, especially when you first start taking it.
Storage
Store tablets in the original container in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight below 25°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Clofen, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms include drowsiness, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, blurred vision, muscle problems, heart rhythm changes, nausea, vomiting, and other serious effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do not stop taking Clofen suddenly unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse and cause withdrawal symptoms including nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, fast heartbeat, high body temperature, muscle pain, and worsening muscle spasms. Your doctor will reduce the dose gradually over 1-2 weeks if the medicine needs to be stopped.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Clofen, as alcohol may make you feel more sleepy when combined with this medication.
Treatment usually starts in hospital with small doses that are gradually increased to find the amount that works best for you. Your doctor will monitor your progress and adjust the dose as needed.
Yes, you should swallow the tablets whole during meals with a glass of water or other liquid.
Clofen can cause misuse, abuse and dependence. Your doctor should be informed if you have a history of alcoholism, drink large amounts of alcohol, or have a history of drug abuse or dependence.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you are over 65, your doctor may start you on a lower dose and increase it slowly to prevent unwanted side effects. Elderly patients should be especially careful and report any side effects promptly to their doctor, as older people are more likely to experience side effects from medicines.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.