Living With ITB Therapy
Medtronic ITB TherapySM (Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy) does more than help manage severe spasticity. It may afford many people living with tight, stiff muscles the opportunity to live in greater comfort and participate more fully in life's daily activities.
After Surgery
Active involvement and cooperation with your healthcare team is extremely important following your surgery.
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Daily Living
Medtronic ITB Therapy may enable you to perform activities that weren't previously possible.
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Product Support
Knowing how to take care of your SynchroMed® Infusion System is important to the successful treatment of your severe spasticity.
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Getting a Replacement
As someone who has chosen Medtronic ITB Therapy (the baclofen pump), you know first-hand the difference the treatment can make. Continue to discover your abilities with ITB Therapy.
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Questions and Answers
We've provided answers to some of the common questions and concerns about how Medtronic ITB Therapy can help you minimize the symptoms of severe spasticity.
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Personal Stories
Read about the experiences of people who have received our products and therapies. You’ll learn first-hand what life was like for these particular individuals, both before and after treatment.
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Ambassador Program
Connect with a volunteer who is living with ITB Therapy and is interested in sharing their experience with you.
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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ON ITB THERAPY
Please follow your doctor's instruction closely because a sudden stop of intrathecal baclofen therapy can result in serious illness (baclofen withdrawal symptoms) such as high fever, changed mental status, muscle rigidity, and in rare cases multiple organ-system failure and death. It is very important that your doctor be called right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.
It is important for you to keep your scheduled refill visits so you don't run out of medication (baclofen) and to understand the early symptoms of baclofen withdrawal. Some patients are at more risk than others for baclofen withdrawal; consult with your doctor.
People who suffer from severe spasticity resulting from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury may be a candidate for ITB Therapy. If you have spasticity due to spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis you must first fail oral baclofen. If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury you must first wait 1 year after the injury to be considered for ITB Therapy. A screening test will help show if you will respond to the intrathecal baclofen. You should not receive ITB Therapy if you have an infection, are allergic to baclofen, or your body size is too small to hold the implantable pump.
The implanted pump and catheter are surgically placed beneath the skin. Surgical complications that you may experience include infection, meningitis, spinal fluid leak, paralysis, headache, swelling, bleeding, and bruising.
The most common and/or serious drug-related side effects of ITB Therapy include loose muscles, sleepiness, upset stomach, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Pump failure may cause overdose or underdose of intrathecal baclofen. The signs and symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, respiratory depression (difficulty breathing), hypothermia, seizures, loss of consciousness, and coma. Once the infusion system is implanted, device complications include catheter or pump moving within the body or eroding through the skin. The catheter could leak, tear, kink, or become disconnected, resulting in underdose or no baclofen infusion. Symptoms of underdose include increase or return in spasticity, itching, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and tingling sensation. These symptoms are often early indications of baclofen withdrawal. The pump could stop because the battery has run out or because of component failure. The pump will sound an alarm when the pump needs to be filled with baclofen, replaced or if there is a problem with the pump. Always inform any healthcare personnel that you have an implanted infusion system before any medical or diagnostic procedure such as MRI or diathermy.
For more information, please read the Lioresal® Intrathecal (baclofen injection) Full Prescribing Information and the SynchroMed Infusion System Information.
This therapy is not for everyone. Please contact your doctor. A prescription is required.
Lioresal® is a registered trademark of Medtronic, Inc.
USA Rx Only Rev 0911
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
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Additional information
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