Baclofen and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2009

Baclofen for Muscle Spasm "I have suffered with back pain and muscle spasms for almost ten years. Sleeping through the night only happened in my dreams. Travel was limited by the necessity to stop frequently, get out and walk/stretch. A 200-mile trip could take 6 hours. Hotel beds were excruciating. After three weeks of routine dosing, my dreams are now a reality. Sleeping through the night, driving for extended periods, and staying away from home overnight have given me my life back. One word of caution, with your doctor's guidance, start with a small dose and be patient as the dose is increased. Beginning large may cause extreme sleepiness. Yep, the voice of experience. Fell asleep in mid-sentence!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2015

For Muscle Spasm "I was prescribed Baclofen to help spasms and pain caused by my generalised dystonia with severe tremor. Initially, I was put on a very low dose which was to build up gradually. I take a cocktail of daily medication but after two weeks of Baclofen added to my med cocktail, I was in less pain. I noticed I'd cut my painkillers from four times a day to only once or twice, I didn't need them. I'm not saying I'm pain-free or don't have spasms anymore, but I definitely notice a great improvement. I did have unpleasant side effects to begin with: weakness, drowsiness, drunk-like feeling. It wasn't nice at all, but I kept with it, the side effects improved, and I'm so relieved I don't suffer the excruciating pain I was in."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "I took this for terrible back pain, and noticed it also completely got rid of migraines. I only take it at night as it makes me drowsy. It works better than any inflammatory or pain relief medication I’ve ever taken. It’s the only thing that allows me to sleep when I get back spasms of migraines."

• for...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2016

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Baclofen saved my life. I had been drinking and drugging and other addictions for thirty-five years, and after a few months getting dosage correct with occasional relapse, I am now booze-free. It is a miracle. You must fight through the side effects (sleepiness, lethargy, etc.) as it will eventually work. I now take it five times a day, totaling 225mg, but will slowly reduce now that I have reached the 'threshold' (Amiesen). I had tried years of AA, rehab, moving to alcohol-free countries, yoga, meditation, extreme fitness routines, years of therapy; nothing worked. Several DUIs, lost jobs, marriages, relationships... And then, Baclofen! Thank you Dr. Amiesen, I love you!"

• San...
• February 26, 2018

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I binge drank every night for 10 years. After 3 years of obsessive research into something that would help me in sobriety, and trying to convince doctors that baclofen would work for me (I was at one point prescribed a small dose) - I had all but given up. I finally met a psychiatrist that specializes in addiction. Without me even mentioning anything, he told me he could cure me and wrote me a prescription for Baclofen and B1 shots. Needless to say, here I am a month and a half without a drink, and I feel enjoyment in things again. My anxiety is gone, my senses are back to normal, my circulation is normal, and my constant 'fight or flight' mechanism that I've had my entire life is turned off. I can hold a conversation with people without feeling the need to run away. I'm friendlier and more patient, happier and calmer. To call Baclofen a miracle drug would be an understatement. I am currently on 100mg taken throughout the day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2012

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "Baclofen reduces the chronic pain of trigeminal neuralgia to a great extent. For me, it mutes the pain to a tolerable level. It does not reduce my ability to think clearly, as occurred with the use of various anti-seizure medications, i.e. Trileptal, Dilantin, Neurontin, etc. For me, it does not yet appear to have a reduced effect despite taking it over a long period of time. The side effects for me are relatively benign and, in some cases, interesting. Higher doses cause drowsiness. Lower doses include the following side effects: - Subtle muscle relaxation - Increased muscle tone - Surprising endurance and lack of fatigue at high levels of physical activity - Absence of soreness following the aforementioned physical activity"

• M J...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Muscle Spasm "I have developed chronic back pain and muscle spasms in my low back that have progressively gotten worse over the last 40 years. The muscle spasms increased to over a dozen events in a day. After 10 failed steroid injections from multiple doctors and four abalations, I was resigned to live with the pain and medically retire. Baclofen has reduced the number of spasms and their intensity to about four events in a week! I too experienced sleepiness for the first couple of days. With the intensity and number of spasms reduced so low, pain management has been much better. Time will tell if I have to reconsider early retirement."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 27, 2012

Baclofen for Chronic Spasticity "I have severe spasticity and this medicine really helps my muscles to relax. I only take 20 mg a day, however, if I do need to take an additional pill for the 'bad days,' I don't suffer any additional side effects...only a bit sleepier by the end of the day."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2015

For Muscle Spasm "I have multiple sclerosis and limited use of my right arm and right leg. I was given this drug to help with it. I have more trouble walking, I have to use my scooter all the time and it makes me so sleepy. I find myself sleeping until noon then falling asleep late in the evening. I find this medicine not helpful at all. I take 10mg three times a day."

• cut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2013

For Chronic Spasticity "I have been taking the medicine since November 2012. I started at 10mg a day, then 20mg daily, and now at 30mg daily in 3 divided doses. I am on this medicine due to a spinal cord stroke I suffered in July 2012 that left me unable to walk. It was an incomplete stroke though, so as time has gone by, I have been able to use my walker in place of the wheelchair. Over the past couple of days, I have found myself being able to walk seven to ten steps on my own. I attribute this to the baclofen working on the spasticity in my right leg. Side effects were some drowsiness at the beginning, but I am also on tramadol, oxycodone, Lyrica, and morphine, so it may be that some effects were simply masked by these other medications. I give baclofen an A!"

• Aes...
• January 23, 2016

For Muscle Spasm "I'm taking baclofen for extreme tightness in my neck and shoulders, works fine. However, it is more of a stress relief and sleeping pill, especially if you are already a bit drowsy. I take 10 mg currently, and I personally don't think it's enough because it doesn't do too much, especially at night when I need it to work fastest because my muscles tighten at the end of the day."

• Mat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2020

For Temporomandibular Joint Disorder "After all the usual drugs did nothing to prevent my migraines, I did a deep dive and found baclofen, which my neurologist then prescribed. Not only did the intensity and duration of my migraines decrease, but it had great side effects. I hardly ever had to go to the chiropractor (from going once a month), and when I did, barely needed much of an adjustment, and my 25 years of moderate, constant dull pain in my TMJ got so much better that I rarely notice it and hardly ever need to medicate it. I told this to my neurologist, who has subsequently prescribed baclofen successfully to other patients for TMJ. I take 30 mg in the morning (it doesn't make me drowsy and didn't help me sleep when I took it at night)."

• tuk...
• May 18, 2008

For Muscle Spasm "This medicine saved me during a sudden, incredibly intense muscle spasm in my neck/back. Side effects were mostly drowsiness but it gave me time to heal and let me sleep during the painful period. Great medication."

• zip...
• May 8, 2011

For Muscle Spasm "I have been struggling with fibromyalgia for more than five years. Finally accepted my diagnosis almost 3 years ago. My doctor and I have been working together to establish a pain management program that works for me and still enables me to work and live a 'normal' life. Baclofen is by far the best muscle relaxer I have used and true to my doctor's recommendation, has the least side effects (dizziness, sedation, etc.). I am more than just pleased with this medicine. I am THRILLED because it helps to control the muscle spasms I cope with while allowing me to be an active participant in my life. After two years of taking it, I am taking 10mg four times a day."

• Jul...
• December 24, 2014

For Chronic Spasticity "I take baclofen (20 mg 3 times a day) for muscle twitching, spasms, and spasticity. It has helped some (for instance, I can still feel the muscle twitching, but it's no longer visible twitching). It hasn't seemed to help with the spasticity, though. As for side effects, at first, I had a lot of drowsiness and dizziness. Now, I am horribly depressed and think it's from the baclofen, so I may discontinue soon."

• Jbi...
• May 11, 2016

For Alcohol Withdrawal "My belief is baclofen is finally the cure for alcoholism. My Dr. put me on baclofen, 40 mg, then upped with 20 mg more if I needed. I drink exactly 16 ozs. of Coors Light daily, and no desire to drink more. No cravings! As a young man, I used LSD for religious awareness. Baclofen has the same effects as LSD as you are 'coming on' to it. Mild hallucinations, dryness of mouth, slight irritability, hyper hearing, smelling, and thoughts. Also, weakness of muscles and drowsiness. I fight the drowsiness with caffeine. I continue my normal activity regardless of weakness, leading to unusual muscle tone with everyday activity. I am a 62-year-old man with six-pack abs. THANKS BAC AND MY DR.!!"

• Mr ...
• September 21, 2015

For Muscle Spasm "No side effects except mild drowsiness. I'm not impressed by how this drug is supposed to work on muscle spasms. I have been on it for a week and a half at 10 mg, 3 times a day. I feel my spasms are almost as bad as prior to taking this Rx."

• Aro...
• August 17, 2009

For Muscle Spasm "I take 10 mg at night for intense right leg spasms that were occurring every morning and sometimes multiple times per day. Very painful and debilitating. First week on Baclofen felt a bit drowsy at night, but that quickly subsided. It has almost entirely taken away the morning spasms, leg only feels a bit tight when it wants/needs to spasm. This medicine has changed my life! If I miss one dose, the spasms quickly return. I definitely recommend this to anyone with spasm pain."

• lis...
• October 12, 2011

For Muscle Spasm "Finally, relief. I have suffered all of my adult life with severe pain from menstrual cramps. After taking Lupron (which stopped my period), I was left with these reactive, painful pelvic/uterine muscle spasms. The muscle would seize up and cause pain for no reason. Baclofen worked from day one. And no sleepiness and no loopy feeling-very nice."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2020

For Muscle Spasm "I was prescribed this medicine for my hip bursitis because I could not sleep on my sides. I took it at 10:30 PM when I went to bed. I didn't wake up enough to get out of bed until about 3:30 PM. It is now almost 9:00 PM, and I am still groggy and not able to function very well. I slept super sound, did a lot of dreaming that I remember. I slept super soundly, did not suffer with hip pain that hurt when I turned on my side. BUT I was unable to wake up the entire next day. For me, the drug is NOT something I believe is helpful."

• Pup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2017

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Self-medicating for severe depression for around 20 years. The alcohol was inhibiting my antidepressants and making my depression worse. I lost my partner, my work, my hamster (stayed with my partner). Anyway, I have been on baclofen for about three months. As I hit 90 mg a day about a week ago, my cravings suddenly vanished. I've gone from 2/3 bottles of wine a day, at the expense of anything, to no alcohol. No desire, gone. It doesn't even cross my mind. I never thought this would happen. Early days yet, so I have side effects - drowsiness and clumsiness. I am assured these will pass and are tolerable in any case. As a bonus, this drug is generic, so for 100 10 mg tablets is about £5."

• MRS...
• August 29, 2010

For Muscle Spasm "After trying several muscle relaxers with no improvement, my new pain management doctor put me on 10 mg baclofen 3 x daily. I was extremely drowsy the first week, by the second week, I had complete resolution of my lower back pain following 2 lumbar surgeries to correct scoliosis. First time I can walk and stand straight up in years. Initially helped my neck pain, but is now no longer effective. Having surgery tomorrow to repair subluxation of C3/4, hoping that resolves my pain. Status post surgery x 5 for cervical herniations. May need to adjust the dose? Great medicine, highly recommended."

• MGR...
• May 6, 2010

For Muscle Spasm "Baclofen is so good! Some drowsiness, although it could be from Lyrica, which I stopped today due to my new Fred Flintstone feet (side effect from Lyrica - needed ultrasound to rule out DVT - clots in the leg). Okay for pain after a short buildup period, but after that period, I started getting most of the listed side effects of Lyrica - including the ER visit with the swollen feet. I had spinal surgery and now suffer severe back spasms. (I'm worse off after surgery). I now have more nerve pain - so hence the Lyrica - and really bad spasms when I stand for short periods or lay in one position, and Baclofen is a godsend."

• cep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

"Prescribed Baclofen 20 mg twice a day for anxiety. Prior to this, was taking topiramate 50 mg and Xanax 0.5 mg twice a day. Prior medications made me feel foggy and drowsy. Was still having high anxiety and attacks in the later afternoon. Experienced very real physical symptoms from anxiety for 12 weeks, including vomiting and diarrhea. Been on Baclofen for a week now. Seem more clear-headed. Vomiting has subsided. I have only had one panic attack. So far, the only side effect I have noticed is urinating more frequently. Overall pleased with how Baclofen is helping."

• Kej...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2014

For Neuralgia "Suffer from severe fibromyalgia. Moderate neuropathy of legs. Take baclofen 10 mg - 6x daily. It does give me complete relief, but had to titrate to this dose, started out at 30 mg a day, but fell back for a couple of weeks to 20 mg. Caused drowsiness, and some pretty strong voluntary muscle twitching."