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SCI-Nurse · 10-02-2002, 11:31 AM

This drug is not indicated for the treatment of central nervous system spasticity. It is a skeletal muscle relaxant most appropriately used for muscle spasm (not the same as spasticity) associated with muscle injury or strain.

Is your physician a physiatrist or a specialist in SCI?

Medications for spasticity (other than baclofen) include tizadadine (Zanaflex), dantrolene sodium (Dantrium), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium). Clonidine is often added to one of these, but is not very effective on its own. All of these drugs should be started at a low dose and gradually increased to the effective level.

Even with 30 mg. daily of baclofen, you can still have withdrawal symptoms if you have been taking it for some time. I would recommend NOT stopping the baclofen suddenly. If you have any baclofen left, or can get some (my sources tell me that there are still a couple of drug companies with supplies available), you should taper off the baclofen by reducing your dosage to 25 mg. for 3 days, then 20 mg. for 3 days, then 15 mg. for 3 days, then 10 mg. for 3 days, then 5 mg. for 3 days then stop. At the same time you are tapering this drug, you should gradually increase the dosage of your new spasticity medication (see above).

(KLD)

10-02-2002, 11:31 AM
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 30,226	Skelaxin This drug is not indicated for the treatment of central nervous system spasticity. It is a skeletal muscle relaxant most appropriately used for muscle spasm (not the same as spasticity) associated with muscle injury or strain. Is your physician a physiatrist or a specialist in SCI? Medications for spasticity (other than baclofen) include tizadadine (Zanaflex), dantrolene sodium (Dantrium), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium). Clonidine is often added to one of these, but is not very effective on its own. All of these drugs should be started at a low dose and gradually increased to the effective level. Even with 30 mg. daily of baclofen, you can still have withdrawal symptoms if you have been taking it for some time. I would recommend NOT stopping the baclofen suddenly. If you have any baclofen left, or can get some (my sources tell me that there are still a couple of drug companies with supplies available), you should taper off the baclofen by reducing your dosage to 25 mg. for 3 days, then 20 mg. for 3 days, then 15 mg. for 3 days, then 10 mg. for 3 days, then 5 mg. for 3 days then stop. At the same time you are tapering this drug, you should gradually increase the dosage of your new spasticity medication (see above). (KLD)