Skelaxin vs. Baclofen (Gablofen, Lioresal)

• Are Skelaxin and Baclofen the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Skelaxin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Baclofen?
• What is Skelaxin?
• What is Baclofen?
• What Drugs Interact with Skelaxin?
• What Drugs Interact with Baclofen?
• How Should Skelaxin Be Taken?
• How Should Baclofen Be Taken?

Skelaxin (metaxalone) and baclofen are skeletal muscle relaxants prescribed for treatment of painful muscle spasms.

A difference is that baclofen is also used for treating muscle clonus, rigidity, and pain caused by multiple sclerosis. Baclofen is also injected into the spinal cord to treat severe spasticity, spinal cord injuries, and other spinal cord diseases.

Brand names for baclofen include Gablofen and Lioresal.

Common side effects of Skelaxin include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• irritability,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Skelaxin including stomach pain, loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Baclofen include:

• sleepiness
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting
• low blood pressure
• headache
• convulsions
• seizures
• low muscle tone
• weakness
• agitation
• constipation
• chills
• urinary retention or urinary frequency
• confusion, and
• trouble sleeping

Skelaxin (metaxalone) is a skeletal muscle relaxant prescribed for the short-term treatment of painful muscle spasms. Skelaxin is available as a generic drug.

Gablofen (baclofen) is a skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat severe spasticity, a very intense tightness of muscles that may cause pain and uncontrollable spasms of the arms, legs, hands, and feet. Gablofen is also used to manage severe spasticity of cerebral or spinal origin in adult and pediatric patients age 4 years and older.

Significant drug interactions have not been reported with Skelaxin although it may increase the sedative effects of alcohol and drugs that cause sedation.

There are no data to indicate significant interactions with Baclofen and other drugs, however Baclofen may interact with morphine.

Skelaxin's usual dose is 800 mg taken three or four times daily.

Baclofen is administered by the intrathecal route, meaning it is administered via spinal catheter or lumbar puncture.