Baclofen and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2025

For Muscle Spasm "I've been on Skelaxin (headaches) and tizanidine (fatigue) and am now on baclofen. Baclofen has been great for my muscle spasms caused by severe foraminal stenosis, and I wish I had been prescribed it earlier. It's really helped with my pain levels."

• aik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2013

For Muscle Spasm "Taking for neck and back pain and sciatica from being in a MVA. Seems to make my hearing sensitive -- when I read to my daughter, it's like my voice is too loud, so I have to speak very softly. Absolutely no drowsiness, but I have had a killer headache in the back of my head for days. It has not made any drastic difference in my muscle pain and sciatica, but I have only been on it for less than one week. Will keep trying it until my follow-up in a week. So far, so good, except for the bad, bad headache in the back of my head. Sleeping good and waking refreshed, unlike when I took Soma."

• Ser...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 23, 2019

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I have had Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) for 17 years, diagnosed in my twenties. I have only ever taken baclofen for treatment as I am afraid to try anything else. I do not take it on a regular basis, I only take it when I begin to feel pain. I take a small dose of 10 mg to 20 mg just before bed. 10 mg used to fix it for me, but 20 mg seems to be required now as my TN has progressed and gotten worse as it is known to do. The 20 mg leaves me with a bit of a headache and some swollen hands by morning, but the TN is diminished. These days I do need to take the baclofen a few days in a row. Be careful of this medication as it can cause muscle wasting when taken on a steady regular basis. I am thankful for baclofen and recommend it if you have not tried it for Trigeminal Neuralgia."

• Alb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2022

For Neuralgia "I suffered both chronic and acute pain, apparently in one of my hips, but radiating through my leg for many months. I was reduced to climbing stairs a half step at a time. An MRI showed stenosis of my lower spine, but before the MRI, I developed severe muscle spasms of gluteus muscles. I was prescribed baclofen (Lioresal) as an antispasmodic, but my other symptoms were quickly relieved. The initial dosage of 10 mg t.i.d. was excessive for my low body weight and gave me severe headaches and destroyed my coordination. I gradually reduced the dosage and find that 5 mg once each morning works most days to keep my symptoms under control. If pain recurs, I take an additional 5 mg, plus 325 mg of acetaminophen - I also use this combination an hour before strenuous sporting exercise. I am male and in my mid 70s."

• Slo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2017

Baclofen for Neuralgia "I have been taking Lioresal (baclofen) 10 mg 3 times per day for 3 days now. The side effects are immense! After 20 minutes, I lose all sense of balance, get a major headache, and need to urinate frequently (which is difficult when lack of balance screws up walking ability!) It knocks me out for hours. Side effects last approximately 6 hours. I have cut down to twice a day now because I can't handle the side effects. The only positive is the pain eases (I have intercostal neuralgia), but not 100% pain relief-maybe 70%. I plan to visit the doctor and get off it as soon as possible."

• my...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2018

For Muscle Spasm "I have been on baclofen for 3 days, and I'm having more spasms than ever before - to the point it's cramping. I am not able to use my right arm, and I'm right-handed. I get spasms when I use the bathroom. I'm ready to go to the ER, that's how bad it is. I drink more water, thinking that will help subside the spasm, but that's not working. Are these side effects? I have had headaches, also, it causes blood pressure to go up."

• Tas...
• August 14, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Taking it for a week, 10 mg twice a day. I have spasms in the back and migraines. This has increased my headaches and does nothing for my back pain. I am weaning myself off of this medication. I am constantly sick to my stomach and dizzy. Worst med ever."

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2022

For Muscle Spasm "I have been using baclofen for about a year now, and I'll say it's not as effective as Soma (carisoprodol), but it takes the edge off painful, constant pain in my legs. I use three 20 mg tablets daily. Due to the narcotics I'm taking and Valium, my doc and I agreed that Soma would make me way too sedated. Haven't had to make any adjustments to my med regimen since starting the baclofen. No side effects of the med, occasionally, I'll get a brief headache. I'd recommend it to people suffering from painful spasms."

• Anonymous
• June 13, 2010

For Neuralgia "I take baclofen for extreme pain in my shoulder and arm due to compressed neck vertebrae. I had tried Flexeril and Robaxin and received no relief. When I first began taking this, I couldn't sleep, had a headache, and as I read a review by another person - fell asleep mid-sentence. My boss said I was hard to get to understand things but very agreeable. All are getting better. I have very vivid dreams now and wake about every 3 or 4 hours to go to the bathroom - that I was doing prior to the drug. What I call 'pee pee pads' is very important, but I used them prior to taking baclofen. Overall, this medicine seems to help most of the time. I take it just before leaving for work just in case I might have trouble driving. It works well."

• Per...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 15, 2024

For Muscle Spasm "I have lumbar spinal stenosis and pelvic floor spasms. Baclofen 20-40 mg/day was prescribed for the stenosis before the pelvic floor spasms were diagnosed. It worked PERFECTLY to prevent me from having horribly painful leg cramps at night that would make me cry. But once the pelvic floor spasms were diagnosed and my dosage was increased to 60 mg/day, I would get horribly sick: headache, abdominal pain, and nausea to the point where I went to the ER. I guess I developed a sensitivity to it, which is a shame because it worked really well!! Now, I take 20-30 mg/day of Flexeril, and that works great but makes me very tired."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2018

Baclofen for Periodic Limb Movement Disorder "On baclofen for severe pain in arms and legs. Very effective for that disorder. Must take exactly on time or pain returns right away. Side effects are headache, diarrhea, and tiredness."

• Bac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2022

For Muscle Spasm "Did not help me for low back pain. Caused very dry mouth, muscle cramps, headache, insomnia."

• Cok...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2017

For Muscle Spasm "Started taking for herniated discs in my neck, which caused bad migraines. It's pointless to me. Actually, it gives me headaches. I honestly think Flexeril works better."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2009

Baclofen "This has become a lifesaver for me. The first two doses caused severe headache. Since then, the results have been amazing, with no other side effects."

• Kra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2021

For Muscle Spasm "Wanted to try a different muscle relaxer for my ankylosing spondylitis, so Dr. prescribed baclofen. I have had nothing but headaches and nausea. Horrible drug."