Understanding the 024 Pill & the Uses and Side Effects of Baclofen

Key Points

• The 024 pill is a common form of baclofen, a skeletal muscle relaxant.
• Baclofen is used to treat spinal cord injuries and conditions like multiple sclerosis.
• Baclofen is sometimes used off-label for the treatment of alcohol use disorder based on evidence suggesting its efficacy in reducing cravings and intake.
• Baclofen is not generally considered to have a high potential for addiction, but it can lead to physical dependence, and abrupt discontinuation can result in withdrawal symptoms.

Baclofen, known by the brand names Kemstro and Lioresal, is a prescription drug in the class of skeletal muscle relaxants. One form of baclofen is a white, round pill with an imprint 024, produced by TruPharma LLC, and comes in 10 mg.[1]

Find out more about the 024 baclofen pill, what it’s used for, its potential side effects and risks, and how it can help with addiction treatment.

What Is the 024 Pill?

The 024 pill is a 10-mg dose of baclofen, a skeletal muscle relaxant, from the pharmaceutical brand TruPharma LLC. It’s a 7-mm white, round pill with “024” imprinted on one side and a score on the other. It only comes in 10 mg and is only available with a prescription.

What Is the 024 Pill Used For?

The 024 pill is a common form of baclofen, a skeletal muscle relaxant that’s used to treat spasticity, which is muscle stiffness and tightness, from conditions like spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or other spinal cord diseases. The drug acts on the spinal cord nerves and decreases the severity and frequency of muscle spasms to relieve pain and improve movement.

Baclofen has some off-label uses, which is when a drug is prescribed to treat conditions other than those approved by the FDA. It’s been increasingly used off-label for the management of musculoskeletal pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and alcohol use disorder. However, these off-label uses should only come from a doctor. Don’t take baclofen for any other use than prescribed.

What Are The Potential Side Effects of Baclofen?

Baclofen can have several side effects, including:[2]

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Sleep difficulties
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are lasting or severe.

Though less common, there are some serious side effects with baclofen, including:[3]

• Seeing things or hearing voices that aren’t there
• Seizures

If you experience one of these serious side effects, speak to your doctor immediately.

024 Pill Overdose and Precautions

It’s possible to overdose on baclofen if you take too much or more frequent doses than prescribed. The symptoms of overdose include:[4]

• Weak muscle tone
• Vision problems
• Drowsiness
• Coma
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures

It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to baclofen. The symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching or swelling, trouble breathing, and severe dizziness. Seek medical attention immediately if you believe you’re having an allergic reaction.

Baclofen can have interactions with some medications or may be unsafe with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor about any prescription and nonprescription medications, including vitamins and supplements, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, seizure medications, sedatives, sleeping pills, or tranquilizers.

You should also let your doctor know if you’ve ever had a stroke, epilepsy, rheumatic disease, cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, or Parkinson’s disease. If you’re pregnant, become pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, consult with your doctor.

Baclofen can cause drowsiness. Don’t drive a vehicle until you know how baclofen affects you. It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking baclofen, which can make the side effects worse.

How Should the 024 Pill Be Taken?

The 024 baclofen pill is only available with a prescription. It’s typically taken 3 times a day at evenly spaced intervals, but it’s crucial to follow the directions from your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

Take baclofen exactly as directed – do not take more or less of it or at more frequent intervals. Continue to take your medication even if you feel well, and don’t stop taking baclofen without speaking to your doctor. Stopping baclofen abruptly can cause confusion, fever, seizures, muscle stiffness, or hallucinations.

How Is Baclofen Used in Addiction Treatment?

Several medications have been used successfully to help with addiction treatment, including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

In recent years, baclofen has emerged as a treatment option for drug and alcohol addiction. Its off-label use can lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and help with cravings, particularly with alcohol use disorder.[5]

The exact mechanism isn’t known, but current research suggests that baclofen may be effective at treating drug and alcohol addiction by altering the chemical processes responsible for substance use. The chemical makeup of baclofen mimics gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which can positively affect mood and increase dopamine levels – reducing cravings for a drug of abuse.[6]

Is Baclofen Addictive?

While baclofen is not classified as a controlled substance and has a lower potential for addiction compared to substances like opioids, it can lead to physical dependence and has been associated with cases of misuse or abuse, particularly at high doses or with long-term use. Over time, baclofen use can lead to tolerance in people who take it long-term for the treatment of chronic illnesses. This is when your body becomes used to the effects of the drug, so you need more to get the same results.

If tolerance develops, it’s more common for people to increase their dose to relieve their symptoms. This can lead to dependence, which is when the body adapts to regular use and withdrawal occurs from abruptly stopping or reducing dosage.

The symptoms of baclofen withdrawal can include agitation, insomnia, confusion, delusions, hallucinations, seizures, visual changes, psychosis, high body temperature, increased muscle spasms, and involuntary, erratic body movements.[7]

If baclofen has been taken for a long period or at high doses, a tapering schedule may be recommended to minimize withdrawal symptoms. This involves gradually reducing the dose of baclofen until the body is “weaned” off it, preventing the severe symptoms that may come with stopping “cold turkey.”

Don’t taper your dose yourself, however. If you wish to stop or reduce your baclofen dose, speak to your doctor to find out how to safely stop taking this medication.

Seek Help for Addiction

The 10-mg 024 pill is a commonly prescribed form of baclofen. Though it’s approved to treat muscle spasms, tightness, and pain associated with spinal cord injuries and musculoskeletal conditions, research suggests that baclofen may be helpful in addiction treatment, particularly for alcohol use disorder.

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, don’t wait to get the help you need. With an individualized care plan and evidence-based therapies, you can find the path to lasting recovery.