Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Baclofen as follows:
- Baclofen could interact with a number of other medications and can precipitate serious reactions. If you are being newly started on baclofen, discuss with your physician regarding all other medications you are currently taking and their safety with baclofen. Also, if you have been taking baclofen for long, discuss with your physician regarding your history of baclofen intake, when you are being started on any new medication.
- Baclofen use, especially in individuals with history of mood disorders, can occasionally result in exacerbation of mania and depressive symptoms, changes in behavior, hallucinations, and compromised sexual drive. Baclofen must either be avoided for an alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with such history, to prevent exacerbation of mood disorders.
- Baclofen use, especially in individuals with seizure history, can occasionally result in deterioration of seizure control and fresh episodes of seizures. Baclofen must either be avoided for an alternative or used with extra caution in individuals with seizure history, to prevent exacerbation of seizure episodes.
- Baclofen must be avoided in individuals with history of severe head injury and brain damage. Individuals with history of head injury and brain damage can be at a very high risk to present with severe depression of brain and associated respiratory and cardiovascular centers with baclofen, leading to complications such as, coma, respiratory arrest, dangerous hypotension, and bradycardia, which can be fatal.
- Baclofen use in expectant mothers could increase risk for pregnancy complications. Baclofen can cross the placenta and enter the baby. Newborns can also present with harmful side-effects of the medication. Newborns exposed to baclofen in the uterus can present with harmful side-effects of the medication, such as, respiratory depression, breathing difficulties, and other toxicity with the medication. Baclofen can also pass into the breast milk and use in new mothers can also increase risk for complications in breastfed newborns. So, baclofen is avoided for an alternative safer drug or cautiously administered with careful monitoring for complications during pregnancy, in women planning for pregnancy, and in new mothers breastfeeding the newborns. Women in the child-bearing age group taking baclofen regularly must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant.
