Pacifen 10 (Baclofen)

Pacifen general information

What is Pacifen used for?

Pacifen tablets 10mg are used to relieve muscle spasms (spasticity) that can happen as a result of certain disorders of the nervous system, including multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy and meningitis; tumours or inflammation of the spinal cord; or following stroke or injuries to the head or spine. Pacifen tablets 10mg reduces painful reflex muscle spasm and spontaneous involuntary muscle contraction (clonus), which increases mobility, improves sleep and helps with the management of daily activities as well as rehabilitation, leading to greater independence and a better quality of life.

How does Pacifen work?

Pacifen tablets 10mg contain baclofen, which is an analog (mimic) of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter (transmits messages between nerve cells) in the central nervous system and regulates how nerve cells in the spinal cord respond to stimulation, such as, the sending of signals to muscles to contract or relax. GABA also regulates muscle tone.
Baclofen in Pacifen tablets 10mg is used as a muscle relaxant and is thought to work by stimulating specific receptors for GABA on the surface of certain nerve cells, which in turn inhibits the release of chemicals that cause nerve impulses to be transmitted to muscles for reflex actions. Baclofen in Pacifen tablets 10mg is thought to suppress nerve stimulation of reflexes at the spinal level, causing Involuntary muscle spasm, when certain muscles become hyperactive, contracting and relaxing continuously; also spontaneous clonus, when involuntary muscle contraction is due to sudden muscle stretching, resulting in exaggerated reflex movements. The action of Pacifen tablets 10mg in suppression of nerve transmission allows for more normal muscle movements, reducing painful flexor spasms and spontaneous clonus.

What does Pacifen contain?

Pacifen tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient baclofen, a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms. They also contain: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, calcium hydrogen phosphate, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate.

Treating muscle spasm with Pacifen

Pacifen tablets 10mg contain baclofen, a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasm (spasticity) that can happen as a result of certain disorders of the nervous system, including multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy and meningitis, tumours or inflammation of the spinal cord; or following stroke or injuries to the head or spine. Baclofen in Pacifen tablets 10mg is an agonist (mimic) of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter (transmits messages between nerve cells) in the central nervous system and regulates how nerve cells in the spinal cord respond to stimulation, such sending signals to muscles to contract or relax. GABA also regulates muscle tone. Baclofen in Pacifen tablets 10mg is thought to work by stimulating specific receptors for GABA on the surface of certain nerve cells, which in turn inhibits the release of chemicals that cause nerve impulses to be transmitted to muscles for reflex actions. Baclofen in Pacifen tablets 10mg is thought to suppress nerve stimulation of reflexes at the spinal level, causing Involuntary muscle spasm, when certain muscles become hyperactive, contracting and relaxing continuously; also spontaneous clonus, when involuntary muscle contraction is due to sudden muscle stretching resulting in exaggerated reflex movements. The action of Pacifen tablets 10mg in suppression of nerve transmission allows for more normal muscle movements, reducing painful flexor spasms and spontaneous clonus, which increases mobility, improves sleep and helps with the management of daily activities as well as rehabilitation, leading to greater independence and a better quality of life.

Pacifen for multiple sclerosis

Pacifen tablets 10mg contain baclofen, a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasm (spasticity) that can happen as a result of certain disorders of the nervous system, like multiple sclerosis. Nerve cells are damaged by destruction of the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres called myelin sheath, by autimmune reactions, where the immune system is directed against self. Damaged nerves are unable to communicate properly and one of the symptoms of this damage is muscle spasm, caused by the continual transmission of messages to certain muscles, causing them to tighten and contract. Baclofen in Pacifen tablets 10mg is an agonist (mimic of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter (transmits messages between nerve cells) in the central nervous system and regulates how nerve cells in the spinal cord respond to stimulation, such sending signals to muscles to contract or relax. GABA also regulates muscle tone. It is thought that baclofen in Pacifen tablets 10mg works by stimulating specific receptors for GABA on the surface of certain nerve cells, which in turn inhibits the release of chemicals that cause nerve impulses to be transmitted to muscles for reflex actions. This action prevents the spontaneous involuntary muscle contraction that is a symptom of multiple sclerosis.

What are the side effects of Pacifen?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Pacifen tablets 10mg, include: daytime sleepiness, drowsiness, nausea, respiratory depression, light-headedness, lack of energy, exhaustion, mental confusion, dizziness, headache, insomnia, euphoria, depression, muscular weakness, loss of coordination (ataxia), tremor, hallucinations, nightmares, muscle pain (myalgia), nystagmus, dry mouth, mental confusion, headache, gastrointestinal upset, frequent urination or bed wetting, visual disturbances, increased perspiration, rash.

When should Pacifen not be used?

You should not use Pacifen if you:

• are allergic to baclofen or any ingredient in Pacifen tablets 10mg
• have a mental illness, epilepsy (seizures or fits), or Parkinson's disease
• have stomach ulcers
• have had a stroke or have cerebrovascular diseases,
• have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, respiratory disease
• have lung problems which make breathing difficult
• have diabetes without discussion with your doctor, as your dose of antidiabtetic medication may need to be changed
• are taking medication that may interact with Pacifen, including: drugs that act on the central nervous system like opiates for pain relief (and alcohol), tricyclic antidepressants, levodopa for Parkinson's disease, antihypertensives for high high blood pressure.

How should Pacifen be taken?

You should take your Pacifen tablets 10mg with a glass of water and with food, usually 3 times a day. The dose you take and for how long depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation and may be increased, depending on how well your symptoms are controlled.

How long should you take Pacifen?

You should take your Pacifen tablets 10mg continually for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for long periods.

Missed dose of Pacifen

If you miss a dose of Pacifen tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Pacifen be stored?

You should store your Pacifen tablets 10mg in a cool dry place at room temperature below 25°C.