What Is Lioresal Intrathecal Used For?

Lioresal Intrathecal is a specialized muscle relaxant that contains baclofen. It’s used when oral medications don’t work well enough or cause too many side effects.

Primary Uses

This medication reduces tension in muscles that causes spasms. It’s used to treat muscle spasms that occur in conditions like multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other diseases or injuries affecting the spinal cord or brain.

How It Works

Lioresal Intrathecal reduces muscle spasms and the pain that comes with them. It helps improve your mobility and ability to manage daily activities by delivering medication directly to your spinal cord through an implanted pump.

How to Take Lioresal Intrathecal

This medication can only be given by experienced doctors using special medical equipment. You’ll need to stay in the hospital, at least at the beginning of treatment.

Treatment Process

First, your doctor will inject a small amount into your spinal cord to test if it improves your muscle spasms. If successful, a special pump will be surgically implanted under the skin of your abdomen. The pump delivers a constant amount of medication into your spinal cord through a tiny tube. It may take several days to find the right dose for you.

Home Care

You or your caregiver will be taught how to care for the pump at home and keep the implant site free from infection. You’ll need regular doctor visits to check progress, adjust doses, and refill the pump.

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:

• Drowsiness, tiredness or lack of energy
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Headaches
• Slurred speech
• Blurred or double vision
• Problems with concentration or memory
• Problems with sexual function
• Hair loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite, weight loss
• Constipation, diarrhea
• Dry mouth, decreased taste, increased saliva
• Difficulty swallowing
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Muscle weakness, spasms or pain
• Problems with coordination and balance

Important Warnings

There are several important safety considerations before starting Lioresal Intrathecal treatment.

Who Should Not Take Lioresal Intrathecal

Do not use if you’re allergic to baclofen or any ingredients in the medication, or if you have epilepsy that’s not responding to treatment.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: thoughts of suicide or self-harm, any infections, epilepsy or seizure history, Parkinson’s disease, mental illness, scoliosis, blood circulation problems, heart problems, breathing problems, stomach ulcers, kidney problems, or history of sudden anxiety episodes with sweating and muscle stiffness.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Should not be used during pregnancy unless the expected benefit outweighs the possible risk. It’s unknown if the medication passes into breast milk, so discuss with your doctor if breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Several medications can interfere with Lioresal Intrathecal and affect how it works.

• Levodopa (used for Parkinson’s disease)
• General anesthetics used during surgery
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Blood pressure medications
• Pain medications including morphine
• Sleep medications and mood-improving medicines

Alcohol & Driving

Lioresal Intrathecal can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol while using Lioresal Intrathecal may make you feel more sleepy or dizzy than normal. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. It may cause dizziness, sleepiness, or blurred vision in some people.

Storage

If keeping a supply at home, store ampoules in the original cardboard carton in a cool, dry place below 30°C (room temperature). Keep away from moisture, heat, sunlight, and out of reach of children. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills.

Overdose Information

If you think you’ve received too much medication, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest emergency department. Overdose signs include unusual muscle weakness, sleepiness, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, excessive saliva, breathing problems, fainting, or seizures. These symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions