Baclofen
LioresalPubChem CID 2284 · 3D model
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Calms overactive reflex signals in the spinal cord by activating a different kind of calming brain-chemical receptor than sedatives like diazepam or propofol use, easing muscle spasms and stiffness without heavy whole-brain sedation.
How it works
Baclofen calms overactive nerve signals in the spinal cord by activating a specific type of receptor for GABA, a calming brain chemical — the 'B' type. That's a meaningfully different switch than the one drugs like diazepam or propofol flip, both also on this site: those work on GABA-A receptors, which open a channel that lets calming chloride particles rush into cells directly and quickly. GABA-B receptors instead trigger a slower signal that dials down excitatory messages passed along spinal nerve pathways, easing the stiffness and spasms of spasticity largely without the broad, whole-brain sedation heavier GABA-A-acting drugs produce.
What it’s used for
Used to ease muscle stiffness, spasms, and tight, involuntary muscle contractions caused by multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury and disease. It's not meant for ordinary muscle spasms from strains or arthritis-type conditions, and it hasn't been shown to help with stiffness from stroke, cerebral palsy, or Parkinson's disease.
- Mechanism
- GABA-B receptor agonist
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Neurology / Muscle Relaxant