From the Guidelines
The recommended dosage of baclofen tablets is 5 mg/kg once a day, with a usual dose of 300 mg, although doses of up to 450 mg are sometimes used, as stated in the British Thoracic Society guidelines for the management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) 1. When considering the dosage of baclofen, it's essential to note that the medication should be taken as directed by a healthcare provider, and the dosage may vary depending on the individual's condition and response to treatment. The dosage for children also varies, with those between 12-17 years taking 5 mg/kg once a day, and those between 1 month-11 years taking 5 mg/kg once a day, although limited data is available for the latter age group 1. It's crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and administration instructions to minimize potential side effects and ensure the medication's effectiveness. In contrast to other medications, such as gabapentin or topiramate, baclofen has a specific dosage recommendation, and its use should be guided by the healthcare provider's instructions, rather than comparing it to other medications 1. Overall, the dosage of baclofen tablets should be individualized and guided by the healthcare provider's expertise, taking into account the patient's specific needs and condition.
From the FDA Drug Label
Baclofen USP, is a muscle relaxant and antispastic, available as 10 mg and 20 mg tablets for oral administration. The tablet dosage for baclofen is available in two strengths:
- 10 mg
- 20 mg 2
From the Research
Tablet Baclofen Dosage
- The dosage of tablet baclofen is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but the studies discuss the administration of baclofen via oral and intrathecal routes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- According to the study by 4, oral baclofen is typically started at a low dose and gradually titrated upwards, with adverse effects usually appearing at doses greater than 60 mg/day.
- The same study 4 notes that the incidence of adverse effects is reported to range from 10% to 75%, and that approximately 25-30% of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis (MS) fail to respond to oral baclofen.
- Another study 5 suggests that oral baclofen may be effective in many patients with spasticity, but that adverse effects are common, affecting between 25% and 75% of patients.
- The study by 6 discusses the role of baclofen in modulating spasticity and neuroprotection in spinal cord injury, but does not provide specific information on tablet dosage.
- The review by 7 discusses the pharmacological treatments for spasticity, including baclofen, but does not provide specific information on tablet dosage.
Administration Routes
- Baclofen can be administered orally or intrathecally, depending on the severity and location of spasticity 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Intrathecal baclofen infusion is considered for patients with severe spasticity who are unresponsive or intolerant to oral baclofen 4, 5.
- The study by 4 notes that intrathecal baclofen infusion has several advantages, including direct drug administration to the cerebrospinal fluid, minimized central side effects, and adjustable/programmable continuous infusion.