When your muscles won’t relax—when they stiffen, cramp, or lock up—baclofen, a central nervous system depressant used to reduce muscle spasticity. Also known as Gablofen, it’s one of the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxants for people with long-term neurological conditions. Unlike painkillers that just mask discomfort, baclofen works directly on your spinal cord to calm overactive nerve signals that cause muscles to tighten uncontrollably.
This isn’t just about comfort. For someone with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease affecting the brain and spinal cord, uncontrolled muscle spasms can make walking, dressing, or even sleeping impossible. Baclofen helps restore some control. It’s also used for spinal cord injuries, damage to the spinal cord that disrupts nerve communication, and sometimes severe muscle spasms, involuntary contractions that cause pain and limited movement from other causes. It doesn’t cure the underlying condition, but it can make daily life manageable again.
People often wonder how it’s different from other muscle relaxants. Baclofen is targeted. It acts on GABA-B receptors in the spinal cord, not the brain, which means it’s less likely to cause drowsiness compared to older drugs like diazepam. But it’s not risk-free. Stopping it suddenly can trigger seizures or hallucinations. That’s why doctors usually taper the dose. It’s also not for everyone—people with kidney problems, depression, or a history of seizures need extra care.
What you’ll find in the articles below isn’t just a list of facts. It’s real-world insight from people who’ve lived with spasticity, providers who’ve seen what works, and studies that show how baclofen fits into broader treatment plans. You’ll see how it’s used alongside physical therapy, what side effects actually show up in daily life, and when it’s better to try something else. No fluff. No marketing. Just what matters when you’re trying to move without pain.
