Baclofen: Side Effects and Effectiveness in Treating Multiple Sclerosis

It is not uncommon for those with Multiple Sclerosis to have stiff muscles, muscle spasms or charley-horses - and more uncommonly, but frequent in some individuals - pain. Baclofen is the medicine usually prescribed for these symptoms. After diagnosis of MS, when I started suffering charley-horses and spasms in my legs, fingers and feet, the doctor prescribed multiple daily doses in 10mg pills.

Effectiveness

This medication worked quickly and very well. The spasms dissipated and by continuing the medication have almost completely subsided. They do return if the Baclofen treatment is interrupted.

Issues

One of the reasons Baclofen works is it acts as a muscle relaxer. MS can often create muscle fatigue, balance issues and problems walking. I found that Baclofen can mimic those symptoms and even increase them. It became difficult sometimes to distinguish between the effects of the Baclofen, normal MS symptoms and the onset of a relapse. Reducing the frequency of the dosages alleviated this issue and avoiding it when participating in something that required my attention and balance, like bike riding, was required.

This medicine used in combination of other medicines like Imipramine also appeared to cause an increase in mental confusion, another symptom of MS and misleading when trying to watch for relapses.

Warnings

After consistent use of Baclofen, the medicine should not be stopped suddenly. Dangerous side effects can occur. Instead, the dosage should be stepped down slowly.

It appears that Pregnant or nursing mothers should not take Baclofen as there has been sufficient evidence that it does pass through to the baby in breast milk.

Because Baclofen can make you drowsy, any other medications that also cause drowsiness, or the use of alcohol, should be closely monitored or avoided.

Overall Review

I found Baclofen to be a very effective aid in eliminating the spasmodic cramping associated with my MS, but also discovered that care and careful regulation of the dosage was required in order to eliminate many of the confusion, fatigue, balance and muscle weaknesses already associated with MS symptoms.