If you feel you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.

The most common side effects with baclofen are fatigue, lethargy, trouble concentrating, and insomnia. These side effects are typically mild and will usually subside over 1-3 days but can reappear again at further dose increases. If these side effects are problematic, the easiest way to address these issues is to slow down the titration process. If you are experiencing persistent or severe side effects, please call 888-959-8858 so we can modify your titration plan. Do not stop taking baclofen abruptly as side effects may occur. Fewer than 30% of people in the LifeBac program ever experience side effects and fewer than 5% have ongoing side effects.

It is not uncommon for people to experience side effects if they go past their Effective Dose. Please click on this link for an explanation of what the effective dose is. If you feel you have reached your effective dose, call the LifeBac team and your plan will be adjusted accordingly.

Symptoms:

What are some side effects of this drug?

Dizziness/Lightheadedness/Vertigo

Baclofen treatment can produce a sensation of dizziness or unsteadiness which is not true vertigo. It’s often accompanied by nausea. Again dizziness disappears with continuing baclofen therapy although it can reappear then disappear again when the dose is further increased.

Fatigue/Lethargy

Fatigue is the most common side effect of baclofen but decreases with time. It can be either a generalized tiredness or a sudden overwhelming tiredness which appears at certain times. This is a problem for people who need constant vigilance at work eg. operating dangerous machinery or for driving. In this case, contact us so we can discuss the options available to you. This might include slowing down the titration rate or changing your dosing times around your work schedule. In addition, may need to do alternative work for the first couple of weeks

Gastrointestinal Problems

It can be hard to know if these are related to baclofen when there are concurrent changes in alcohol consumption and food intake. Nevertheless patients can experience diarrhea which is clearly related to baclofen and generally responds to OTC antidiarrheal medications and/or dietary modifications. Occasionally constipation is seen for which simple symptomatic treatment will help – laxatives, increased fruit and vegetables and other ways to increase dietary fiber.

Headaches

These often occur in the mornings, respond to simple OTC medications, and generally fade with time. If your headache isn’t relieved by over the counter medication, is the worst headache you have ever experienced, or if it has accompanying new symptoms please go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.

Insomnia

There can be a contradictory effect where baclofen causes an individual to feel tired during the day but unable to sleep at night. Many people dealing with AUD (alcohol use disorder) already have very poor sleep quality. Baclofen usually helps these patients sleep better but in some patients, it has the opposite effect and makes it hard to get to sleep. If insomnia persists, please call so we can schedule an appointment for you with one of our providers.

Joint pain/rashes, face and ankle swelling, nasal congestion, hot flashes/excessive sweating

These generally respond to time and simple symptomatic treatment. If the symptoms do not resolve, get worse, or accompanying new symptoms appear then go to your primary care physician or the nearest urgent care for evaluation and treatment.

Kidneys

Baclofen is 80% processed in the kidneys. However, because baclofen is passed from the body by the kidneys, drinking plenty of water is incredibly important. If you start to experience pain in your kidneys, please call us straight away.

Nausea

This is common when baclofen is first started and during the early increases in dose. It lasts 2-3 days and most often goes away with continuing baclofen at the same dose. Most people are often very tolerant of this side effect which can re-occur then disappear with further dose increases. Eating when taking the medication often resolves the issue.

Sexual dysfunction

Baclofen can have a variety of effects on sexual function from improving libido and desire to erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia.

Tingling/numbness/tinnitus

These include tinnitus, painful numbness of the limbs, noises in the head, sudden dropping of objects, double vision, slurred speech, clumsiness or unsteadiness, tremor of hands, itch, abnormal taste. These generally disappear with the usual measures of waiting at the same dose until they go or dropping the dose back down, waiting and raising it more slowly. However if this side effect is persistent and unpleasant, it may require ceasing the baclofen.

LifeBac Progress Reports

Completing your LifeBac Progress Reports is instrumental in your journey. The LifeBac team reviews the feedback you give for the following information:

We are always happy to schedule an appointment with one of our providers if you have any questions or concerns regarding side effects.