Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking baclofen as follows:
- Baclofen can induce some nausea and vomiting, especially when taken on empty stomach. Taking the medication with a glass of water and some food or snack can help avoid these unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Baclofen 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, compliance with daily fluid & fiber 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.
- Baclofen use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching. Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with baclofen, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
- Baclofen use can result in episodes of headache, confusion, dizziness, and light-headedness, thus contributing to increased risk for falls and accidents. This risk with baclofen can be even high when it is taken in high doses or along with any other products and medications causing central nervous system (brain) depression, such as, alcohol, opioid pain medications, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, & sedatives and so, must be avoided. Watching closely for therapeutic response, gradually changing the dose to help optimum control of your symptoms, and avoiding taking it with medications and products causing dizziness can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness due to the medication. Try spacing them out accordingly, in order to prevent episodes of confusion and dizziness. Stay away from activities requiring alertness, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by Baclofen.
