Patient/caregiver was instructed upon therapeutic uses of Baclofen as follows:
- Gama-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter synthesized in the human body. Upon release, GABA inhibits the conduction of impulses to the skeletal muscles and thus promotes skeletal muscle relaxation.
- Baclofen is an analog of GABA and works on the same lines, inhibiting the conduction of nerve impulses between the nerves and to the muscles.
- Conduction of nerve impulse to the muscle results in muscle contraction. Upon intake of baclofen, inhibition of nerve impulse conduction from the spinal cord to the muscle leads to muscle relaxation.
Baclofen can be used in clinical conditions for control of pain and relief of muscle spasticity and tightness as follows:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Motor nerves originate in the brain and travelling through the spinal cord, reach the various muscles throughout the body, thus conducting the impulse to the muscles.
- ALS is a condition in which there is progressive degeneration of the motor nerves controlling the activity of the various muscles.
- Progressive degeneration of the motor nerves contributes to altered and compromised impulse conduction.
- Depending on the site of injury and the nerves involves, this change in nerve impulse conduction can result in spasticity or severe tightening of muscles, flaccid weak muscles, and muscle spasms contributing to the pain & discomfort. This can severely compromise the muscle function.
- Baclofen by controlling and relieving the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
Brain and spinal cord injury
- Individuals with brain and spinal cord damage from mechanical injuries, work injuries, and automobile accidents, present with intense muscle tightness and spasticity. Muscle spasticity can lead to contractures, rigidity, stiffness, and limited range of motion contributing to severe limitation of performance on activities of daily living, significant pain, and discomfort.
- Baclofen intake in these individuals can help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
Multiple sclerosis
- Individuals with multiple sclerosis present with intense muscle spasticity and tightness. Muscle spasticity can lead to contractures, rigidity, stiffness, and limited range of motion contributing to severe limitation of performance on activities of daily living, significant pain, and discomfort.
- Baclofen intake in these individuals can help relieve the spasticity and tightness, relax the muscle, and contribute to relief of pain and stiffness.
