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What Is Baclofen?

Baclofen is a prescription muscle relaxant and antispastic medicine used for spasticity from multiple sclerosis, especially flexor spasms, pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. It also has use in selected patients with spinal cord injuries or other spinal cord diseases. Baclofen is not indicated for skeletal muscle spasm caused by rheumatic disorders.

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What Is Baclofen?

Baclofen is a prescription muscle relaxant and antispastic medicine used for spasticity from multiple sclerosis, especially flexor spasms, pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. It also has use in selected patients with spinal cord injuries or other spinal cord diseases. Baclofen is not indicated for skeletal muscle spasm caused by rheumatic disorders.

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How Does Baclofen Reduce Spasticity?

The exact mechanism is not fully understood. Baclofen suppresses monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal level, partly through reduced release of excitatory neurotransmitters from afferent nerve terminals. It is structurally related to gamma-aminobutyric acid and is thought to act through GABA-B receptor stimulation, which reduces excitatory signaling involved in spasticity.

Which Spasticity Conditions Are Treated With Baclofen?

Baclofen is used for spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, particularly flexor spasms with pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. It also has a labeled role in selected patients with spinal cord injuries and other spinal cord diseases. The label does not recommend it for rheumatic muscle spasm, stroke, cerebral palsy, or Parkinson disease.

How Is Oral Baclofen Dosed?

Oral treatment starts at a low dose and increases gradually according to response and tolerability. A common titration starts at 5 mg three times daily for three days, then 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg three times daily in three-day stages. The maximum recommended oral dose is 80 mg daily, given as 20 mg four times daily.

Why Should Baclofen Not Be Stopped Abruptly?

Abrupt discontinuation can cause hallucinations, seizures, high fever, confusion, rebound spasticity, and muscle rigidity. Severe withdrawal has progressed to rhabdomyolysis, organ failure, and death. Baclofen also causes drowsiness, dizziness, and weakness. Kidney impairment can increase drug exposure, so dose reduction is considered when renal function is reduced. Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants can worsen sedation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baclofen

Is baclofen a muscle relaxant?

Yes. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant and antispastic medicine used mainly for neurologic spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord disease.

Is baclofen used for multiple sclerosis?

Yes. Baclofen is indicated for spasticity from multiple sclerosis, including flexor spasms, pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity.

What is the maximum oral baclofen dose?

The current oral labeling lists a maximum recommended dose of 80 mg daily, commonly divided into four 20 mg doses.

Can baclofen be stopped suddenly?

No. Abrupt discontinuation can cause severe withdrawal reactions, including seizures and hallucinations, so oral dosing is reduced gradually when treatment ends.

References

Baclofen. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682530.html. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.

Baclofen. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526037/. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.

DailyMed - BACLOFEN oral solution. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=50b3e7be-832b-313d-e063-6394a90a5ab4. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.

DailyMed - BACLOFEN tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=32336e92-89a4-7d7f-e063-6394a90ae924. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.

FDA Label - OZOBAX DS (baclofen) Oral Solution. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/208193Orig1s002lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 15, 2026.