Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxer. It’s recommended as a first-line therapy for the treatment of spasticity.

Baclofen acts on the nerve system to reduce muscle spasms, relieve pain, and help improve movement.

Baclofen was first approved by the FDA in 1977, and has since been studied in over 20 clinical trials.

Baclofen comes as a tablet, liquid, dissolvable granules (LYVISPAH), and intrathecal through a pump (LIORESAL^®).

All side effects of oral baclofen are well known. The most common adverse reaction was transient drowsiness. Other common adverse reactions included dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, hypotension, headache, insomnia, constipation, urinary frequency, and fatigue.

Adverse events are common in patients who take baclofen or other comparators (ie, tizanidine and diazepam) and affect a similar proportion of patients.

Baclofen is used for people living with spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis. It is particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and associated pain, clonus (abnormal reflexes), and muscular rigidity. Baclofen may also be helpful for those living with spinal cord injuries and other spinal cord diseases.

Several placebo-controlled studies demonstrated significantly improved muscle tone, spasms, and disability.

Studies have not shown any significant difference in efficacy between oral baclofen and active comparators, but oral baclofen may be better tolerated.