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Baclofen For Severe Muscle Spasm 2
Baclofen For Severe Muscle Spasm 2
This leaflet is for parents and carers about how to use Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount
this medicine in children. Our information sometimes using an oral syringe or medicine spoon. You
differs from that provided by the manufacturers, because can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use
their information is usually aimed at adults. Please read a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right
5.0 ml
2.5 ml
this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you amount.
can read it again.
When should the medicine start working?
Your child’s muscles should begin to feel less stiff after taking
Do not stop giving baclofen suddenly, as this will
baclofen regularly for 3–4 days. It may take up to 10 days for
cause serious side-effects.
the maximum effect.
Can other medicines be given at the same time as Where should I keep this medicine?
baclofen? •• Keep all medicines where children cannot see or reach
•• You can give your child medicines that contain them.
paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told
•• Keep this medicine somewhere cool and dry, away from
you not to. direct heat and light. It does not need to be kept in the
•• Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any fridge.
other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or
•• Keep the medicine in the container it came in.
complementary medicines.
Who to contact for more information
Is there anything else I need to know about this Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to give you more
medicine? information about baclofen, and about pain relief for muscle
•• If your doctor decides that baclofen is not right for your spasticity.
child, you will need to reduce the dose bit by bit over a You can also get useful information from:
few weeks so that your child doesn’t get side-effects. Do
England: NHS 111
not reduce the dose without talking to your doctor first.
Tel 111 - www.nhs.uk
•• If your child is already taking other medicines, tell your
doctor before starting baclofen. Scotland: NHS 24
•• If your child has kidney problems, tell your doctor before Tel 111 - www.nhs24.scot
starting baclofen.
•• Baclofen may not be suitable for children with stomach Wales: NHS 111 Wales
ulcers, mental health problems or who have difficulty Tel 111 - www.111.wales.nhs.uk
passing urine (having a wee). If your child has any of
these conditions, tell your doctor. Northern Ireland: NI Direct
www.nidirect.gov.uk
General advice about medicines
Scope (for people living with cerebral palsy)
•• If baclofen does not seem to be controlling your child’s
www.scope.org.uk
spasms, contact your doctor for advice.
0808 800 3333
•• Try to give medicines at about the same times each day,
to help you remember.
•• Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to
anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the
same, as this could do harm.
If you think someone else may have taken the medicine
by accident, contact your doctor straight away.
www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
Version 2, March 2014. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: March 2017.
The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through
our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is
important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply
to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and
editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.