Baclofen is used to treat muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, and it may help with face pain due to trigeminal neuralgia. It is in a class of drugs known as centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.
| Depletion or interference | None known |
| Side effect reduction/prevention | None known |
| Supportive interaction | None known |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability | None known |
| Adverse interaction | None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Food
Baclofen absorption is not affected by food, but the drug should be taken with a meal to minimize stomach upset.1
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol may enhance the side effects of baclofen, such as drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue.2 Therefore, people taking baclofen should avoid alcoholic beverages, especially if staying alert is necessary.
References
1. Peterson GM, McLean S, Millingen KS. Food does not affect the bioavailability of baclofen. Med J Aust 1985;142:689–90.
2. Olin BR, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Muscle Relaxants, Centrally Acting. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, 1993, 1529–30.
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2006-09-07
