USE OF BACLOFEN IN TREATMENT OF VARIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Dr. Mehraj Fatima* and Dr. Ramesh Ganpisetti
ABSTRACT
Baclofen, sold under the brand name Lioresal among others, is a central nervous system depressant used as a skeletal muscle relaxant. It is primarily used to treat spasticity. It is also used in topical creams to help with pain. It is a GABA receptor agonist, specifically of the GABAB receptors. Its beneficial effects in spasticity result from actions at spinal and supraspinal sites. It is a derivative of ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The drug is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and is widely distributed throughout the body. Biotransformation is low and the drug is predominantly excreted unchanged by the kidneys. The half life of baclofen is roughly 2–4 hours and it therefore needs to be administered frequently throughout the day to control spasticity appropriately. Baclofen comes in tablets of 10 and 20 milligrams (mg), and you'll usually take an equally divided dose three times a day. The most common side effect experienced by people taking baclofen is drowsiness. Other drugs that depress the central nervous system may make some side effects of baclofen worse.
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