Alcohol
Severe
Database
Profound CNS depression, increased sedation, respiratory depression, and impaired psychomotor function.
Advise patients to avoid alcohol consumption while taking baclofen due to the risk of severe CNS depression.
Drug reference
Baclofen
Muscle Relaxant · Skeletal Muscle Relaxant
Muscle RelaxantSkeletal Muscle Relaxant
CDSCO approvedSchedule H
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
12 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Top interactionssee all 12 →
- AlcoholSevereDatabase
- AlfentanilSevereDatabaseDDInter
- BenzhydrocodoneSevereDatabaseDDInter
- BuprenorphineSevereDatabaseDDInter
Mechanism
Baclofen functions as a muscle relaxant, which helps to alleviate the pain associated with muscle spasm. It is also an option for managing intractable hiccup when other treatments are ineffective.
Indications
Muscle spasmHiccupControl of muscle spasmsSpasticity associated with spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosisSymptomatic treatment of spasticity in ALSspasticityalcohol use disorder (approved in France for patients not responsive to other treatments)Alcohol use disorder treatment (evidence not conclusive)Reduction of cocaine self-administration (in animal models and single-site trial)spasticity in multiple sclerosisspasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)spasticity in spinal injuriesflexor spasms
Dosing
- Adult
- 16 Guidance on intravenous infusions
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
3-4 hours
Bioavailability
>70%
Protein binding
31 ± 11%
Excretion
69 ± 14%
Side effects
Common
XerostomiasedationCNS depressionWithdrawal syndrome (upon discontinuation)drowsinessmental confusionweaknessataxiaserum transaminases may rise
Serious
- sudden withdrawal after chronic use may cause hallucinations
- sudden withdrawal after chronic use may cause tachycardia
- sudden withdrawal after chronic use may cause seizures
Drug interactions
Alfentanil
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Benzhydrocodone
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Buprenorphine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy.
Source: DDInter
Butorphanol
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Codeine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy.
Source: DDInter
Dextropropoxyphene
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy, metabolism
Source: DDInter
Dezocine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Dihydrocodeine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Fentanyl
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy.
Source: DDInter
Hydrocodone
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy.
Source: DDInter
Hydromorphone
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy.
Source: DDInter
Related guidelines
Other Muscle Relaxant drugs
Ask House about Baclofen
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team