Get your patient on Baclofen - Baclofen solution (Baclofen)

Initiate baclofen oral solution with a low dosage, preferably in divided doses, administered orally. The following gradually increasing dosage regimen is suggested, but should be adjusted based on clinical response and tolerability:

5 mL (5 mg) three times a day for three days

10 mL (10 mg) three times a day for three days

15 mL (15 mg) three times a day for three days

20 mL (20 mg) three times a day for three days

Additional increases may be necessary up to the maximum recommended dosage of 80 mg daily (20 mg four times a day).

When discontinuing baclofen oral solution, reduce the dosage slowly and avoid abrupt withdrawn from the drug to help minimize the risk of adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 )].

Risk Summary
There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of baclofen in pregnant women. Oral administration of baclofen to pregnant rats resulted in an increased incidence of fetal structural abnormalities at a dose which was also associated with maternal toxicity. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations
Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions
Baclofen oral solution may increase the risk of late-onset neonatal withdrawal symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2 )] .

Data

Animal Data
Baclofen given orally has been shown to increase the incidence of omphaloceles (ventral hernias) in fetuses of rats given approximately 13 times on a mg/kg basis, or 3 times on a mg/m ² basis, the maximum oral dose recommended for human use; this dose also caused reductions in food intake and weight gain in the dams. This abnormality was not seen in mice or rabbits.

Risk Summary
At recommended oral doses, baclofen is present in human milk. There are no human data on the effects of baclofen on milk production. There are no adequate data on the effects of baclofen on the breastfed infant. Withdrawal symptoms can occur in breastfed infants when maternal administration of baclofen is stopped, or when breastfeeding is stopped [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2 )] .

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for baclofen and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from baclofen or from the underlying maternal condition.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 12 have not been established.

In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Because baclofen is primarily excreted unchanged through the kidneys, baclofen should be given with caution to patients with renal impairment, and it may be necessary to reduce the dosage.

Abrupt discontinuation of baclofen, regardless of the cause, has resulted in adverse reactions that include hallucinations, seizures, high fever, altered mental status, exaggerated rebound spasticity, and muscle rigidity, that in rare cases has advanced to rhabdomyolysis, multiple organ-system failure, and death. Therefore, reduce the dosage slowly when baclofen oral solution is discontinued, unless the clinical situation justifies a rapid withdrawal.

Withdrawal symptoms in neonates whose mothers were treated with oral baclofen throughout pregnancy have been reported starting hours to days after delivery. The symptoms of withdrawal in these infants have included increased muscle tone, tremor, jitteriness, and seizure. If the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus and baclofen is continued during pregnancy, gradually reduce the dosage and discontinue baclofen before delivery. If slow withdrawal is not feasible, advise the parents or caregivers of the exposed neonate of the potential for neonatal withdrawal.

Drowsiness and sedation have been reported in up to 63% of patients taking baclofen, the active ingredient in baclofen oral solution [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 )] . Patients should avoid operation of automobiles or other dangerous machinery and activities made hazardous by decreased alertness when starting baclofen or increasing the dose until they know how the drug affects them. Advise patients that the central nervous system depressant effects of baclofen may be additive to those of alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Baclofen should be used with caution in patients who have had a stroke. Baclofen has not significantly benefited patients with stroke. These patients have also shown poor tolerability to the drug.

Baclofen should be used with caution in patients suffering from psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, or confusional states. If treated with baclofen, these patients should be kept under careful surveillance because exacerbations of these conditions have been observed with oral baclofen administration.

Baclofen should be used with caution in patients with a history of autonomic dysreflexia. The presence of nociceptive stimuli or abrupt withdrawal of baclofen may cause an autonomic dysreflexic episode.

Baclofen should be used with caution in patients with epilepsy. Deterioration in seizure control has been reported in patients taking baclofen.

Baclofen should be used with caution in patients where spasticity is utilized to sustain upright posture and balance in locomotion or whenever spasticity is utilized to obtain increased function.

A dose-related increase in incidence of ovarian cysts was observed in female rats treated chronically with oral baclofen. Ovarian cysts have been found by palpation in about 4% of the multiple sclerosis patients who were treated with oral baclofen for up to one year. In most cases, these cysts disappeared spontaneously while patients continued to receive the drug. Ovarian cysts are estimated to occur spontaneously in approximately 1% to 5% of the normal female population.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The most common adverse reaction is transient drowsiness. In one controlled study of 175 patients, transient drowsiness was observed in 63% of those receiving baclofen compared to 36% of those in the placebo group. Other common adverse reactions (up to 15%) are dizziness and weakness. Adverse reactions with a frequency of ≥1% are listed in Table 1.

The following adverse reactions not included in Table 1, classified by body system, were also reported:

Neuropsychiatric: euphoria, excitement, depression, hallucinations, paresthesia, muscle pain, tinnitus, slurred speech, coordination disorder, tremor, rigidity, dystonia, ataxia, blurred vision, nystagmus, strabismus, miosis, mydriasis, diplopia, dysarthria, epileptic seizure

Cardiovascular: dyspnea, palpitation, chest pain, syncope

Gastrointestinal: dry mouth, anorexia, taste disorder, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and positive test for occult blood in stool

Genitourinary: enuresis, urinary retention, dysuria, impotence, inability to ejaculate, nocturia, hematuria

Other: rash, pruritus, ankle edema, excessive perspiration, weight gain, nasal congestion

The following laboratory tests have been found to be abnormal in patients receiving baclofen: increased SGOT, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and elevation of blood sugar.

Baclofen can cause CNS depression, including drowsiness and sedation, which may be additive when used concomitantly with other CNS depressants or alcohol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3 )].

The precise mechanism of action of baclofen is not fully understood. Baclofen inhibits both monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal level, possibly by decreasing excitatory neurotransmitter release from afferent terminals, although actions at supraspinal sites may also occur and contribute to its clinical effect. Baclofen is a structural analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA), and may exert its effects by stimulation of the GABA _B receptor subtype.

Baclofen has been shown to have general CNS depressant properties, as indicated by the production of sedation with tolerance, somnolence, ataxia, and respiratory and cardiovascular depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3 ), Adverse Reactions (6.1 ), and Overdosage (10.1 )].

A pharmacokinetic study in heathy adult male subjects under fasting conditions at 20 mg dose level demonstrated similar bioavailability for baclofen oral solution and oral tablets. The peak plasma concentrations were achieved in about 0.75 hours from oral solution and the apparent elimination half-life is about 5.7 hours. Baclofen is excreted primarily by the kidney in unchanged form, and there is relatively large intersubject variation in absorption and/or elimination.

Carcinogenesis

No increase in tumors was seen in rats receiving baclofen orally for two years at approximately 30 to 60 times on a mg/kg basis, or 10 to 20 times on a mg/m ² basis, the maximum oral dose recommended for human use.

Mutagenesis

Genetic toxicology assays have not been conducted for baclofen.

Impairment of Fertility

Studies to evaluate the effects of baclofen on fertility have not been conducted.

Baclofen Oral Solution contains 5 mg/5 mL baclofen, USP. It is a clear, colorless solution with a grape flavor and is supplied in bottles of 473 mL, NDC 72888-103-24.

Store at 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77ºF); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Product can also be stored at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).

Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure.