What is Lioresal? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Lioresal

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Your family or other caregivers need to know how to use your pump and medicine. Make sure you and your caregivers all know these 3 things: (1) Signs that you are getting too much or too little medicine. (2) What to do if you have any of these signs. (3) How to care for the pump and the needle that is placed in your back.

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. This medicine is given through a needle directly into your spinal cord.

• You will first be given 1 or 2 test doses, to see if this medicine will work for you. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this test dose in a clinic or hospital. You will need to stay for 4 to 8 hours to make sure the medicine does not cause any problems.

• If your muscle spasms get better with the test dose, you may be able to start using this medicine all the time. You will need to have a pump placed under your skin, which will pump medicine directly into your back all day.

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. This medicine is given through a needle directly into your spinal cord.

• Your family or other caregivers need to know how to use your pump and medicine. Make sure you and your caregivers all know these 3 things: (1) Signs that you are getting too much or too little medicine. (2) What to do if you have any of these signs. (3) How to care for the pump and the needle that is placed in your back.

• You will first be given 1 or 2 test doses, to see if this medicine will work for you. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this test dose in a clinic or hospital. You will need to stay for 4 to 8 hours to make sure the medicine does not cause any problems.

• Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

• If your muscle spasms get better with the test dose, you may be able to start using this medicine all the time. You will need to have a pump placed under your skin, which will pump medicine directly into your back all day.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

What to do if you miss a dose of Lioresal

Lioresal contraindications - Who shouldn't take Lioresal?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to baclofen.

Lioresal warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or any kind of infection. Tell your doctor if you used baclofen before, and if you had problems when you stopped using it.

• Ask your doctor for an Emergency Card listing the symptoms that may happen if you get too much or too little medicine. Carry the card with you at all times. Learn what the pump alarm sounds like and what to do if the alarm goes off.

• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to decrease your dose slowly before you stop taking it completely.

• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Unusual sleepiness, tiredness, or lightheadedness

Lioresal interactions & what to avoid when taking Lioresal

• Some medicines can affect how baclofen works. Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

• Ask your doctor for an Emergency Card listing the symptoms that may happen if you get too much or too little medicine. Carry the card with you at all times. Learn what the pump alarm sounds like and what to do if the alarm goes off.

• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to decrease your dose slowly before you stop taking it completely.

• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.