Medication that is used to treat muscle spasticity.
A muscle relaxant and antispasmodic that decreases the excitability of nerve cells in the spinal cord and is used to diminish spasticity in the lower limbs in persons with spinal cord injury and disease of the spinal cord. It is commonly used as an oral medication. Its precise mechanism of action is unknown although it is thought to inhibit the transmission of impulses between nerve cells. Since it is a nervous system inhibitor, it can affect the action of nerve cells in the brain and cause confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulties with gait and balance.
Baclofen (brand names Kemstro® and Lioresal®) is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid, and is an agonist specific to mammalian but not fruit fly (Drosophila) GABAB receptorshttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11168554&query_hl=9http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12692303&query_hl=1. It is used for the treatment of spastic movement, especially in instances of spinal cord injury, spastic diplegia and multiple sclerosis. Its beneficial effects result from actions at spinal and supraspinal sites.