Lioresal Tablets (Baclofen)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lioresal Tablets Used For?
Lioresal contains baclofen, a muscle relaxant that helps reduce muscle stiffness and spasms to improve your mobility and ability to manage daily activities.
Primary Uses
Lioresal is used to reduce stiffness or spasms in your muscles that occur in various conditions such as multiple sclerosis and diseases or injuries of the spinal cord.
How It Works
Lioresal belongs to a group of medicines called muscle relaxants that work to reduce muscle stiffness and spasms.
How to Take Lioresal Tablets
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
Lioresal is usually taken in 3 divided doses throughout the day. Swallow the tablets during meals with a glass of water or other liquid. For 10mg tablets, you can use the score line to split the tablet into equal doses. For 25mg tablets, the score line helps with swallowing but does not divide into equal doses. If you are under 16 or over 65, or have kidney disease, your doctor may start with a lower dose and increase it slowly.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Never exceed the recommended 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
- muscle weakness or spasms
- swelling of ankles
- blurred vision
- ringing in the ears
- frequent urination
- excessive sweating
- weight gain
- impotence or inability to ejaculate
- increased blood sugar
- low body temperature
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- signs of allergy (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath)
- uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting eyes, head, neck or body
- slow or difficult breathing
- irregular heart beat
- chest pain
- fainting or seizures
- depression or severe mood/behavioral changes
- hallucinations
- thoughts of suicide
- anxiety, confusion, paranoia following sudden discontinuation
- feeling more tired than normal 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 Lioresal.
Who Should Not Take Lioresal Tablets
Do not use Lioresal if you are allergic to baclofen or any of the ingredients listed. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have: mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, muscle stiffness and restriction of movement, stomach ulcers, stroke or blood circulation problems, diabetes, porphyria, high blood pressure, difficulty urinating, heart/kidney/liver/lung problems, history of alcoholism or drug abuse, thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Suicidal Thoughts: Some people treated with Lioresal have had suicidal thoughts. Call your doctor straight away if you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself. Ask a relative or close friend to tell you if they are worried about any changes in your behavior.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Lioresal and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- Any medicine that makes you sleepy (sleep aids, pain relievers, cold or allergy medicines)
- Medicines for mood disorders (tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, MAOIs)
- Medicines for diabetes
- Blood pressure medications
- Parkinson’s disease medicines (selegiline, levodopa, carbidopa)
Alcohol & Driving
Lioresal can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol, so special precautions are needed.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may make you feel more sleepy when taking Lioresal.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Lioresal affects you. Lioresal may cause sleepiness and decreased alertness in some people, especially when you start taking it.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original container until time to take them. Store in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Lioresal, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Overdose symptoms include drowsiness, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, convulsions, blurred vision, unusual low muscle tone, muscle spasms, poor reflexes, blood pressure changes, irregular heartbeat, low body temperature, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, sleep apnea, severe muscle pain with fever and dark urine, and ringing in ears.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 during meals with a glass of water or other liquid.
The medication information mentions misuse, abuse and dependence as possible side effects, and notes that people with a history of drug abuse should inform their doctor before taking Lioresal.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse and cause nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, abnormal thinking, convulsions, uncontrollable movements, fast heartbeat, high body temperature, muscle pain, fever, and dark urine.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may make you feel more sleepy when taking Lioresal.
Yes, weight gain is listed as a common side effect of Lioresal.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
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.