Manufacturer: Novartis
Pharmaceutical name: Pack: 1 tab (25 mg)
Lioresal is used for treating spasm of skeletal muscles, muscle clonus, rigidity, and pain caused by disorders such as multiple sclerosis. It is also injected into the spinal cord (intrathecal) for management of severe spasticity.
Dosing
The usual starting dose of oral Lioresal for adults is 5 mg given three times daily. Based on the response, the dose can be increased by 15 mg every three days to a maximum of 80 mg/day in divided doses.
Drug interactions
Use of Lioresal with other drugs that also depress the function of nerves may lead to additional reduction in brain function. In addition to the risk of depressing brain function, the use of Lioresal and tricyclic antidepressants (for example, amitriptyline [Elavil, Endep], doxepin [Sinequan, Adapin]) together may cause muscle weakness.
Side effects
Lioresal may cause drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, headache, seizures, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, constipation, confusion, respiratory depression, inability to sleep, and increased urinary frequency or urinary retention. Abrupt discontinuation of oral Lioresal may cause seizures and hallucinations. Abrupt discontinuation of intrathecal Lioresal may result in high fever, rebound spasticity, muscle rigidity, and rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) that can progress to failure of several organs, including the kidney, and even death.