Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-nptnm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-02T21:26:09.887Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Use of Baclofen in Treatment of Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

G.M. Sawa  and
D.W. Paty
G.M. Sawa
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University Hospital, London, Ontario
D.W. Paty*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University Hospital, London, Ontario
*
Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University Hospital, 339 Windermere Rd., London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Baclofen was used in a double-blind crossover placebo-controlled trial to treat spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). While on Baclofen, patients obtained a significant (p<0.001) reduction in spasticity compared to controls. The drug was particularly effective in alleviating flexor and extensors spasms, as well as their associated pain. Side effects were common in this study, but were usually well tolerated by the patients. The commonest side effects were sedation, nausea and vomiting. There were no changes in hepatic, renal, or hematological function in any patients. Increased weakness due to loss of spasticity for support was also a fairly common complaint. The drug seems best indicated in patients in whom spasticity is not required for support or other activities of daily living. Careful monitoring of the patient is essential for effective use of this drug.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , August 1979 , pp. 351 - 354
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1979

References

Ashby, P., (1973) The Neurophysiology of Spasticity, J. of Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Oct. p. 203–212.Google Scholar
Ashby, P. and White, D.G. (1973) “Presynaptic” Inhibition in Spasticity and the Effects of B (4-chorophenyl) Gaba, J. Neurol. Sci. 20: 329–338.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Birkmayer, W., Ed. (1972) Spasticity. A Topical Survey. International Symposium, Vienna, 1971, Huber, Vienna, 1972.Google Scholar
Burke, D., Andrews, C.J. and Knowles, L. (1971) The Action of a GABA Deriviative in Human Spasticity, J. Neurol. Sci. 14: 199208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Calne, D.B. (1975) Drug Treatment of Spasticity and Rigidity, In: Modern Trends in Neurology 6, Butterworths, London and Boston, p. 205–221.Google Scholar
Curtis, D.R., Duggan, A.W., Felix, D., and Johnston, G. (1971) Bicculline, an Antagonist of GABA and Synaptic Inhibition in the Spinal Cord, Brain Res. 32: 69–96.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Curtis, D.R., Game, C., Johnston, G. and McCulloch, R. (1974) Central Effects of B — (p-Chlorophenyl) Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Brain Res. 70: 493–499.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davidoff, R. and Sears, E.S. (1974) The Effects of Lioresal on Synaptic Activity in the Isolated Spinal Cord, Neurology 24: 957963.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Faigle, J.W. and Keberle, H. (1972) The Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Lioresal, in Spasticity; A Topical Survey, edited by Birkmeyer, W.Huber, Vienna, 1972.Google Scholar
Feldman, R.G., KellyHayes, M. Hayes, M., Conomy, J.P. and Foley, J.N. (1978) Baclofen for Spasticity in Mulutiple Sclerosis, Neurol. 28: 1094–1098.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
From, A. and Heltberg, A. (1975) A Double-blind Trial with Baclofen (Lioresal) and Diazepam in Spasticity Due to Multiple Sclerosis, Acta. Neurol. Scandinav. 51: 158166.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hudgson, P. and Wrightman, D. (1971) Baclofen in the Treatment of Spasticity, Bri. Med. J. 4: 1517.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
LANCET EDITORIAL (1970) Drug Treatment of Spasticity, Lancet 2: 918–919.Google Scholar
Landau, W.M. (1974) Spasticity: The Fable of a Neurological Demon and the Emperors New Therapy, Arch Neurol. 31: 217–219.Google ScholarPubMed
Lapierre, Y.D., Elie, R., and Tetreault, L. (1974) The Antispastic effect of Ba 3467. A GABA Derivative, Curr. Therapeut. Res., 16: 1059–1068.Google Scholar
Pederson, E., Arliend-Sborg, P., Grynderup, V. and Henriksen, O. (1970) GABA Derivative in Spasticity, Acta Neurol. Scandinav. 46: 257–266.Google Scholar
Pinto, O de S., Polikar, M. and Loustalot, P. (1972) A Review of Clinical Trials with Lioresal, in Spasticity; A Topical Survey, edited by Birkmeyer, W., Huber, Vienna, 1972.Google Scholar
Polacek, L. and Schuppien, W. (1972) Results of Four Years Experience with CIBA 34, 647-Ba (Lioresal) in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, in Spasticity, A Topical Survey, edited by Birkmeyer, W., Huber, Vienna, 1972. p. 123–127.Google Scholar
Roberts, E. (1975) GABA in Nervous System Function — An Overview, In: The Nervous System, Tower, D.B., Editor-in-Chief Vol. 1: The Basic Neurosciences, Raven Press, New York, 1975. p. 541–552.Google Scholar
Sachais, B., Logue, J.N. and Carey, M.S. (1977) Baclofen, ANew Antispastic Drug, Arch. Neurol. 34: 422–428.Google Scholar
Saito, K., Konishi, S. and Otsuka, M. (1975) Antagonism Between Lioresal and Substance P in Rat Spinal Cord, Brain Res., 97: 177–180.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed