{"id":631053,"date":"2025-01-14T13:27:30","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T18:27:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631053"},"modified":"2025-01-14T13:27:30","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T18:27:30","slug":"baclofen-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/baclofen-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Baclofen alternatives: What can I take instead of baclofen?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Baclofen<\/span><\/a> is a prescription medicine that belongs to a group of drugs called <\/span>muscle relaxants<\/span><\/a>. This medication can be used to manage spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord lesions (which may be caused by spinal cord injury or disease). Spasticity includes stiffness, increased muscle tone, and involuntary muscle contractions. Baclofen allows the body to relax by slowing activity in the nervous system. Baclofen is a generic oral tablet, oral solution (<\/span>Fleq\u0455uvy<\/span><\/a>), and oral granules (<\/span>Lyvisp\u0430h<\/span><\/a>). A healthcare professional can also administer this medicine directly into the space within the spinal column that contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with intrathecal solution (Li\u03bfr\u0435\u0455al spinal injection).<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Baclofen interactions to avoid<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

While an effective treatment option for some people, baclofen may not be the best and safest option for all people treating spasticity associated with <\/span>multiple sclerosis<\/span><\/a> or spinal cord lesions. Baclofen is not recommended for older people because of excessive drowsiness. In addition, some people may have to avoid the adverse effects of baclofen, such as confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, muscle weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and dry mouth. Other skeletal muscle relaxants are often used to treat musculoskeletal conditions that cause muscle spasms and muscle pain associated with strains, sprains, and other injuries. Baclofen may be used <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> for these conditions but is not recommended. The muscle relaxants used for these types of conditions typically include cyclobenzaprine (formerly known under the brand name Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin), metaxalone (Skelaxin), chlorzoxazone, orphenadrine, or carisoprodol (Soma).<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>When to take muscle relaxers<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of baclofen?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are other options available to treat spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord lesions that do not improve with baclofen. For both multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury-related spasticity, physical therapy is the mainstay treatment consisting of strengthening exercises, postural management, and manual stretching. However, anti-spasticity medications are still often needed. Baclofen is usually the first medication used and is most common. Alternative medications include other types of muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, and certain seizure medications like gabapentin. It\u2019s important to know that some alternatives have abuse potential, including benzodiazepines. These options may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different uses, side effect profiles, and dosages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compare baclofen alternatives<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Baclofen<\/span><\/td>\n-Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord lesions<\/span><\/td>\nTake 5 to 20 mg by mouth per dose given two to four times daily\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nBaclofen\u00a0 coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dantrium (dantrolene)<\/span><\/td>\n-Spasticity associated with upper motor neuron disorders (e.g., spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis)<\/span><\/p>\n

-Malignant hyperthermia<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 25 mg by mouth once daily and increase weekly to 25 to 100 mg, three to four times daily\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nDantrium\u00a0 coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Klonopin (clonazepam)<\/span><\/td>\n-Panic disorder<\/span><\/p>\n

-Seizure disorder<\/span><\/p>\n

-Anxiety disorder<\/span><\/p>\n

-Muscle spasms<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg by mouth two to three times daily<\/span><\/td>\nKlonopin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neurontin (gabapentin)<\/span><\/td>\n-Postherpetic neuralgia<\/span><\/p>\n

-Focal seizure<\/span><\/p>\n

-Generalized anxiety disorder<\/span><\/p>\n

-Neuropathic pain<\/span><\/p>\n

-Fibromyalgia<\/span><\/p>\n

-Spasticity<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 300 mg to 1,200 mg by mouth three times daily<\/span><\/td>\nNeurontin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Valium (diazepam)<\/span><\/td>\n-Anxiety disorder<\/span><\/p>\n

-Alcohol withdrawal<\/span><\/p>\n

-Muscle spasm or spasticity\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-Seizure disorder<\/span><\/td>\n

Take 2 to 10 mg by mouth three to four times daily<\/span><\/td>\nValium coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zanaflex (tizanidine)<\/span><\/td>\n-Management of spasticity<\/span><\/p>\n

-Musculoskeletal pain<\/span><\/td>\n

Individualized dose taken by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed<\/span><\/td>\nZanaflex coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to baclofen<\/span><\/h3>\n

For people seeking other medications to treat spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord lesions, there are several options. Injections such as botulinum (for example, Botox) are given by a healthcare professional. Other medications are used off-label and have varying evidence for the treatment of muscle spasticity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Botulinum injections<\/span><\/p>\n