Lioresal

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How does it work?

Lioresal tablets and syrup contain the active ingredient baclofen, which is a muscle relaxant medicine. (NB. Baclofen is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)

Baclofen is used to relax muscle spasms that cause muscles to become rigid, painful or weak and prevent the muscles being used voluntarily. Examples include muscle spasm and rigidity in multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and following a stroke. In situations such as these the muscle problems stem from damage to the nerves in the brain or spinal cord.

Baclofen is thought to work by binding to receptors in the spinal cord called GABA-B receptors. The effect of this is to "damp down" the nerve signals that are carried in the spinal cord to the muscles. This reduces the contraction and tension in the muscles.

In conditions where there is painful or disabling muscle spasm, baclofen can help to reduce stiffness and enable people to undergo rehabilitation that increases their mobility.

What is it used for?

Relief from rigidity, tension and stiffness in muscles (spasticity) that are due to conditions such as:

- Multiple sclerosis
- Tumours in the spinal cord
- Motor neurone disease
- An injury of the neck or back causing serious damage to the nerves contained within the spinal cord (traumatic partial section)
- Stroke
- Cerebral palsy
- Head injury

Warning!

- This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided, as it is likely to make any drowsiness worse.
- You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. This is because suddenly stopping treatment could cause symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, psychotic, manic or paranoid states, convulsions, increased heart rate or temporary aggravation of spasticity, particularly if the medicine has been taken for a long time. When treatment with this medicine is to be stopped, the dose should normally be decreased gradually over a period of one to two weeks. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
- People with liver disorders should have their liver function monitored while taking this medicine. Symptoms that may suggest a liver problem include persistent nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, or the development of jaundice (a yellow colouring to the skin and the whites of the eyes). Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Use with caution in

- Elderly people
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Disease affecting the airways or lungs (respiratory disease)
- People with difficulty passing urine due to increased tone in the urinary sphincter muscle
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Stroke
- People who have previously had peptic ulcer disease
- Psychotic disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Manic depression
- People suffering from confusion
- Parkinson's disease

Not to be used in

- Peptic ulcer

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- The medicine passes into the breast milk, but at normal doses it is unlikely to harm the baby. Discuss with your doctor.

Label warnings

- This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinary. Avoid alcohol.
- Do not stop taking this medicine, except on your doctor's advice.

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