Pacifen

Pacifen (Baclofen) is a muscle relaxant used to improve mobility in people with diseases such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. It works by reducing tension in the muscles which cause spasms. There is also some evidence that it may be useful in treating addictions such as alcoholism.

Pacifen (Baclofen) is usually started at a low dosage and may be increased gradually until the correct dosage is reached. Your physician can help you find your correct dosage. This medicine is usually taken in divided doses throughout the day.

Side effects usually occur at the onset of treatment with Pacifen (Baclofen) or when dosage is increased, but they can appear at any time. If you notice any of the following, notify your physician immediately (or visit an accident and emergency center):

• signs of allergy (rash; itching; hives on the skin; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; shortness of breath or wheezing
• slow or difficult breathing
• fast or irregular heart beat
• chest pain
• uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting the eyes, head, neck or body
• fainting or seizures (fits)

If you notice any of the following, contact your physician as soon as you can:

• mental confusion, depression or hallucinations
• numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• muscle weakness, spasms or pain
• problems with coordination and balance
• blurred or double vision
• ringing in the ears
• frequent urination or bed wetting
• difficulty or pain when urinating
• blood in the urine
• swelling of ankles due to fluid buildup

If you notice any of the following and they bother you, please see your physician:

• sleepiness or drowsiness
• lack of energy, feeling exhausted
• dizziness or lightheadedness, spinning sensation (vertigo)
• headache
• difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• nausea (feeling sick), retching or vomiting
• constipation, stomach cramps or diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• dry mouth
• change in sense of taste
• excessive sweating
• impotence or inability to ejaculate.

Before taking Pacifen (Baclofen), tell you physician if you have mental illness, Parkinson`s disease, epilepsy or any other condition that causes convulsions, fits or seizures, heart disease, kidney disease or liver disease, stroke or other brain blood vessel disease, lung problems which make breathing difficult, stomach or duodenal ulcers, diabetes, alcoholism, high blood pressure or if you have a disease known as porphyria, an uncommon genetic condition.