What is Intrathecal Baclofen?

It is a liquid form of drug commonly used to treat severe spasticity. It is used for injections and infusion into the intrathecal space, using an implantable drug delivery system.

Spasticity is tightness or stiffness of muscles, especially arms and legs. It usually causes by brain or spinal injury. It may interfere with active and passive movement and muscles may be difficult to control or uncontrollable.

How does it work?

With ITB therapy, a programmable pump is surgically placed just below the skin in the abdomen and connected to a thin catheter. The catheter is threaded beneath the skin into the intrathecal space where it continuously delivers small doses of drug right to where the medication is most effective.

Indications:

• Severe spasticity resulting from cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury
• Unresponsive to oral Baclofen
• Intolerable side effect from oral Baclofen
• Respond to screening test
• No hypersensitivity

Screening test

Before having the pump surgically placed, a screening test would be conducted to see if ITB will reduce spasticity. During the screening test, doctor will inject a test dose of the medication into the fluid around the spinal cord. If the spasticity is reduced, then we will decide whether to go on surgically place the pump for the therapy.

Refill procedure

The pump has to be refilled in every 2-3 months by your doctor. During the procedure, doctor uses a needle and syringe to inject the medication through the skin into the pump. He also uses an external programmer to adjust the dose if necessary. This ensures that the most effective amount of the medication needed is received.

Common side effects:

• Loose muscles
• Sleepiness
• Upset stomach/vomiting
• Headaches
• Dizziness