Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Lioresal as follows:
- Lioresal can take some time to fairly adjust to your body, before any therapeutic relief is experienced. Lioresal provides the needed muscle relaxation, but does not fix the actual condition causing the spasms. Continue taking Lioresal as ordered, even after you experience relief from the muscle spasms. Do not discontinue taking the medication abruptly, without your physician’s consultation. Abrupt discontinuation on Lioresal intake, after prolonged use, can result in exacerbation of muscle spasms and cramps, precipitation of seizure episodes, disturbance of sleep and insomnia. Individuals with history of mood disorders are at risk to present with hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, panic episodes, exacerbation of depression and mania symptoms. Discontinuing the medication should be gradual and only as directed and recommended by your physician.
- Lioresal can also induce extreme dry mouth and constipation. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with relief from constipation. If you experience any further bothersome constipation, report it to your physician for a recommendation on laxative/stool softener use. Observing compliance with fiber intake recommendations in the diet can also help with preventing episodes of constipation with the medication.
- Maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, to update on the relief from symptoms. Your physician could change the dose of Lioresal, based on the relief obtained or side-effects developed. Be accommodative to the plan of frequent dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
