Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using CLOFEN?
CLOFEN contains the active ingredient baclofen. Baclofen belongs to a group of medicines
called muscle relaxants.
CLOFEN is used to reduce the stiffness or spasms in your muscles to help make you
more mobile and able to manage your daily activities.
2. What should I know before I use CLOFEN?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to baclofen or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with CLOFEN and affect how it works.
4. How do I use CLOFEN?
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many tablets of CLOFEN to take.
Do not exceed the recommended dose prescribed by your doctor.
Treatment is usually started in hospital with small doses of CLOFEN. The dose is then
gradually increased to an amount that works best for you.
5. What should I know while using CLOFEN?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using CLOFEN.
Keep all doctor's appointments, so that your progress can be checked.
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, unless your doctor tells you to.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how CLOFEN
affects you.
CLOFEN may cause sleepiness in some people, especially when you start taking it.
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Drinking alcohol
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Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store the tablets in a cool dry place.
Keep out of reach of children.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects include daytime sleepiness, lack of energy, tiredness, dizziness
or light-headedness, vertigo, confusion, headache, difficulty sleeping or nightmares,
nausea, retching or vomiting, constipation, stomach cramps or diarrhoea, loss of appetite,
stuffy nose, dry mouth, change in sense of taste, misuse, abuse and dependence, numbness,
muscle weakness or spasms, swelling of ankles, blurred vision, ringing in the ears,
frequent urination, excessive sweating, weight gain, impotence or inability to ejaculate,
increased blood sugar, low body temperature. For more information, including what
to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient:
Baclofen
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using CLOFEN. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using CLOFEN.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using CLOFEN?
CLOFEN contains the active ingredient baclofen. Baclofen belongs to a group of medicines called muscle relaxants.
CLOFEN is used to reduce the stiffness or spasms in your muscles to help make you
more mobile and able to manage your daily activities. These spasms happen in various illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and diseases or
physical injuries of the spinal cord.
Because this medicine reduces spasms and the pain that goes with them, it helps to
make you more mobile and better able to manage your daily activities.
2. What should I know before I use CLOFEN?
Warnings
Do not use CLOFEN if:
you are allergic to baclofen, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions including mental illness, Parkinson's disease, seizures
(fits) from any cause, stiffness and restriction of movement in a group of muscles,
stomach ulcers, stroke or blood circulation problems, diabetes, a blood disorder known
as porphyria (a rare disturbance in the production of porphyrin, a pigment important
for liver function and blood formation), high blood pressure, difficulty urinating
have problems with your heart, kidney, liver or lungs
have a history of alcoholism, drink large amounts of alcohol, or have a history of
drug abuse or dependence
have had thoughts of self-harm or and suicidal thoughts
take any medicines for any other condition
have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may want to take special precautions if you have any of the above conditions.
These precautions may include additional tests during or prior to taking CLOFEN.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
There is very little information on the use of this medicine in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have to take CLOFEN when you are pregnant, your baby may have convulsions and
other symptoms related to sudden discontinuation of the medicine just after delivery.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with CLOFEN and affect how it works. These include:
Any medicine that makes you sleepy such as medicines used to help you sleep or calm
you, pain relievers, and medicines for cold or allergies
medicines used to treat mood disorders, including tricyclic antidepressants, lithium
and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
medicines used to treat diabetes
medicines that lower blood pressure include those used to treat high blood pressure
medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease, including selegiline and levodopa and
carbidopa
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect CLOFEN.
4. How do I use CLOFEN?
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many tablets of CLOFEN to take.
Do not exceed the recommended dose prescribed by your doctor.
Treatment is usually started in hospital with small doses of CLOFEN. The dose is then
gradually increased to an amount that works best for you. For example, CLOFEN may
be started at a dose of 15 mg per day, then increased slowly to anywhere from 30 to
75 mg a day. Sometimes, doses up to 100 mg a day may be needed.
If you are under the age of 16 or over 65, or you have kidney disease, your doctor
may start you on a lower dose and increase it slowly to prevent unwanted side effects.
Follow the instructions provided and use CLOFEN until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to take CLOFEN
CLOFEN is usually taken in 3 divided doses throughout the day.
Your doctor may tell you to take it more or less often, depending on your situation.
How to take CLOFEN
Swallow the tablets whole during meals with a glass of water or other liquid.
If you forget to use CLOFEN
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking it as you would
normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much CLOFEN
If you think that you have used too much CLOFEN, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Symptoms of overdose include:
Main symptoms such as drowsiness, breathing difficulties and being unconscious (coma).
Other symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, agitation, convulsions, blurred
vision, unusual low muscle tone, sudden and involuntary muscle spasm, poor or absent
reflexes, high or low blood pressure, slow, fast or irregular heartbeat, low body
temperature, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation, trouble breathing
during sleep (sleep apnoea), severe pain in your muscles with fever and dark urine
(rhabdomyolysis) and ringing in the ears.
If you have kidney disease and have accidentally taken more tablets than your doctor
has prescribed, you may experience drowsiness, confusion or hallucinations.
5. What should I know while using CLOFEN?
Things you should do
Keep all doctor's appointments, so that your progress can be checked.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Become pregnant or think you might be pregnant
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using CLOFEN.
Call your doctor straight away if you have symptoms such as increased sleepiness,
new onset of drowsiness, confusion, or muscle jerks.
These may be signs of a condition known as encephalopathy and your doctor may decide
to stop treatment with CLOFEN tablets.
To help prevent unwanted side effects from happening, your doctor may want to do some
tests from time to time during the course of your treatment.
If your muscle spasms come back, tell your doctor.
Your doctor may be able to change the dose of CLOFEN to make it work better for you.
Call your doctor straight away or go to a hospital if you have thoughts of harming
or killing yourself.
Some people treated with CLOFEN have had thoughts of harming or suicide or have tried
to kill themselves. Ask a relative or close friend to tell you if they are worried
about any changes in your behaviour and ask them to read this leaflet.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly unless your doctor tells you to.
Stopping this medicine suddenly may make your condition worse. You may experience
the following: nervousness, feeling confused, hallucinations, abnormal thinking or
behaviour, convulsions, uncontrollable twitching, jerking or writhing movements, fast
heartbeat, high body temperature, pain in muscles, fever, dark urine. The excessive
stiffness (spasms) in your muscles may also get worse.
If CLOFEN must be stopped, your doctor will reduce the dose gradually over a period
of 1 to 2 weeks so that these unwanted effects are avoided.
Do not use this medicine to treat any other problems unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else. Even if they have the same condition as
you.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or do other jobs that require you
to be alert until you know how CLOFEN affects you.
CLOFEN may cause sleepiness and decreased alertness in some people, especially when
you start taking it.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking CLOFEN.
Alcohol may make you feel more sleepy when taking CLOFEN.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your tablets in the original container until it is time to take them
Follow the instructions on the label on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight below 25°C; for
example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
When to discard your medicine
If your doctor tells you to stop taking CLOFEN, the expiry date on the medicine has
passed or the packaging is torn, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets you
have left over.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
Side effects happen mainly at the start of treatment with CLOFEN or if the dose is
too high or increased too quickly. They can often be relieved by lowering the dose.
Your doctor will adjust your dose if necessary.
If you are over 65 years of age, you should be especially careful while taking this
medicine. Report any side effects promptly to your doctor.
As people grow older, they are more likely to get side effects from medicines.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
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Less serious side effects
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What to do
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Brain and nerves:
daytime sleepiness or drowsiness
lack of energy, tiredness
dizziness or light-headedness
spinning sensation (vertigo)
mental confusion
headache
difficulty sleeping or nightmares
change in sense of taste
blurred or double vision
ringing in the ears
Airways:
stuffy or blocked nose
dry mouth
Stomach problems:
nausea (feeling sick), retching or vomiting
constipation, stomach cramps or diarrhoea
loss of appetite
General problems:
numbness or tingling in hands and feet
muscle weakness, spasms or pain
problems with coordination and balance
difficulty in speaking
swelling of ankles due to fluid build-up
frequent urination or bed wetting
excessive sweating
weight gain
impotence or not able to ejaculate
increased blood sugar
feeling cold
hair loss
misuse, abuse and dependence
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
If these side effects become severe, please tell your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare
provider.
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Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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Skin or muscle problems:
signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin; swelling of the face,
lips, tongue or other parts of the body; shortness of breath or wheezing
uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting the eyes, head, neck or body
Chest problems:
slow or difficult breathing
irregular heartbeat (fast or slow)
chest pain
Neurological problems:
fainting or seizures (fits)
depression or other severe mood, behavioural or mental changes
hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there)
thoughts of suicide
anxiety, confusion, paranoia, and other mental problems following sudden discontinuation
of the medicine (drug withdrawal syndrome)
feeling more tired than normal, decreased levels of awareness with uncontrolled muscle
jerks.
Other problems:
being unable to urinate or pain when urinating, blood in the urine
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What CLOFEN contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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baclofen
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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lactose monohydrate
microcrystalline cellulose
calcium hydrogen phosphate
sodium starch glycollate
colloidal anhydrous silica
magnesium stearate
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Potential allergens
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sugars as lactose
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What CLOFEN looks like
CLOFEN 10 is a flat bevelled edges white tablet with BN over 10 scored tablet (BN/10)
on one side and G on the reverse (AUST R 42146).
CLOFEN 25 is a flat bevelled edges white tablet with BN over 25 scored tablet (BN/25)
on one side and G on the reverse (AUST R 42147).
Who distributes CLOFEN
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in November 2024.
CLOFEN_cmi\Nov24/00