Overview
Lioresal Intrathecal is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of severe spasticity caused by spinal cord injuries, including those from multiple sclerosis (MS), when oral treatment is ineffective or causes intolerable side effects. To qualify for long-term treatment with Lioresal Intrathecal, individuals must first respond positively to a single test dose given into the spinal fluid. Lioresal Intrathecal is also known by its drug name, baclofen.

Lioresal Intrathecal is a muscle relaxant and antispastic drug. It is thought to work by mimicking gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical that slows nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord, which helps reduce muscle stiffness and spasms in people with MS.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Lioresal Intrathecal is given directly into the spinal fluid through a surgically implanted pump after a successful response to a test dose. Treatment begins with a low continuous dose that may be adjusted over time for effectiveness. The drug is only administered in this way and should be administered exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider trained in intrathecal infusion therapy.

Side effects
Common side effects of Lioresal Intrathecal include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, low blood pressure, headache, hypotonia (muscle weakness), and seizures.

Rare but serious side effects may include life-threatening central nervous system depression, respiratory failure, or cardiovascular collapse. Abrupt discontinuation of Lioresal Intrathecal can lead to high fever, altered mental status, rebound spasticity, muscle rigidity, and, in rare cases, rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue), multiple organ failure, and death. Other rare risks include pump infections, meningitis, and overdose due to pump or dosing errors.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Lioresal Intrathecal (Baclofen Injection) — Amneal Pharmaceuticals