Does baclofen make you sleepy?

Spasms are involuntary stress on your muscle, often caused by excessive nerve-related activity at the affected organ or part. Spasm is a generally harmless and is likely to go away in a few minutes’ time. These are termed a muscle pull or stiffening of muscles. Such discomforts are linked to the central nervous system (CNS). Meds called muscle relaxants are widely used for treating spasms. Baclofen is a commonly prescribed drug. It belongs to a category called skeletal muscle relaxing medications. But, does baclofen make you sleepy? It helps to understand costing in detail.

Muscular spasticity is an outcome of disorders relating to your neurons. Rapid firing of these nerve cells often leads to contraction of muscles. This process causes momentary pain and a few other discomforts. A spasm makes it difficult for you to walk or talk. If the condition persists for long, it may cause stiffening of joints and this can impair your motor function.

Your doctor is likely to suggest a few exercises to stretch the affected part. In some cases, a massage or physical therapy is prescribed. If the condition requires medication, drugs that are derivatives of GABA (i.e., gamma-aminobutyric acid) are used to treat these muscular problems. These drugs aim to decrease neuron-based activities and thus bring about needful relief.

So, what is baclofen?

This drug is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It essentially acts as antispasmodic to decrease severity of spasms. It is administered for relieving muscular spasticity and other such conditions. Key chemicals of this med help relieve pains and also promotes movement of muscles. This med can be procured as a pill and also as a topical cream. In some instances, caregivers administer it through intrathecal pumps (an implanted pump, it is delivered via your spine).

This muscle relaxant received its approval for clinical use in the US in 1970s. Today, you can procure it as a generic med with ease. Also, it fares among top 110 widely prescribed drugs in US. This drug has more than 5 million prescriptions written each year.

Does baclofen make you sleepy?

This relaxant can make you drowsy or dizzy. So, it is dangerous to use it when you need muscular tone for balance and physical movements. For example, never use baclofen while you are operating a machine or while driving. Prior to starting your medication plan, tell your doctor if you have problems in maintaining physical balance.

Taking an overdose may trigger a spell of drug overdose. In such cases, you tend to feel sleepy, difficulties in remaining focused, partial or a complete loss of your consciousness, onset of convulsions or fits and may also feel extremely weak.

Owing to these risks, never mix alcoholic beverages with baclofen. You need to know that feeling dizzy or drowsy are commonly experienced side effects of baclofen. But, if these spells persist for more than 2 days, consult with your caregiving team without further delay.

If you witness acute levels of sleepiness, being in a confused state of mind, twitching of feet or hands, increase in body temperature, call your treating doctor in ana emergency basis. Those who are living in the US need to call 911 urgently. You may also reach out to the helpdesk run by the food & drug administration (FDA) in US.

On the other hand, residents of Canada – upon developing one or more of these adverse effects, must contact a local poison control cell as swiftly as possible. You may also establish contact with Health Canada on a top priority mode.

Lastly, as baclofen can make you sleepy, never engage in sporting activities after starting treatment. For example, do not engage in actions like jumping, swimming or cycling. You are advised to check with caregiving team if you aim to know about does baclofen make you sleepy.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.