Baclofen Use in Parkinson's Disease

Pathophysiology and Alternative Treatments

Parkinson's disease typically involves different pathophysiological mechanisms for muscle dysfunction than the spasticity seen in multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury, with muscle spasms often related to dystonia or rigidity rather than velocity-dependent spasticity 1, 2
Targeted injection of botulinum toxin into localized muscles is recommended for reducing spasticity and improving range of motion in stroke patients, and may be considered for focal dystonia in Parkinson's disease, according to the American Heart Association 3, 4

Baclofen can cause significant side effects including dizziness, somnolence, and gastrointestinal symptoms, as reported by the American Geriatrics Society 1, 2
Baclofen may provoke upper airway collapse during sleep, worsening obstructive sleep apnea, which is a concern in Parkinson's patients who already have a high prevalence of sleep disorders, as noted by the British Journal of Pharmacology 5