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ITB TherapySM

Patient Selection: ITB TherapySM and Spinal Cord Injury

Teagus and Shadow, living with SCI. Receiving ITB Therapy
Teagus, living with SCI. Receiving ITB Therapy since 2002.

Sixty-two percent of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) from cervical or thoracic injury reported having spasticity; 12% reported having spasticity so severe that it interfered with activities of daily living.1

In addition to the standard patient-selection criteria, clinicians may wish to consider the following when considering a person living with SCI for ITB TherapySM (Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy):

  • Dose titration can optimize tone needed for transfers
  • Reduced spasticity may help to preserve sexual function in people with spinal cord injury2
  • Patients with a high-level injury or history of autonomic dysreflexia may pose a greater risk for complications3

1. Anson CA, Shepherd C. Incidence of secondary complications in spinal cord injury. Int J Rehabil Res. 1996;19(1):55-66.
2. Ordia JI, Fischer E, Adamski E, Chagnon KG, Spatz EL. Continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion by a programmable pump in 131 consecutive patients with severe spasticity of spinal origin. Neuromod. 2002;5(1):16-24.
3. Lioresal® Intrathecal (baclofen injection) Drug Package Insert.


ITB Therapy (Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy) is indicated for use in the management of severe spasticity. For spasticity of spinal cord origin, ITB Therapy via an implantable infusion system should be reserved for patients unresponsive to oral baclofen or those who experience intolerable CNS side effects at effective doses. Patients with spasticity due to traumatic brain injury should wait at least one year after the injury before consideration of long-term intrathecal baclofen therapy.

Important Safety Information for ITB Therapy:
Intrathecal Baclofen Withdrawal: Abrupt discontinuation of intrathecal baclofen, regardless of the cause, has resulted in sequelae that include high fever, altered mental status, exaggerated rebound spasticity, and muscle rigidity, that in rare cases has advanced to rhabdomyolysis, multiple organ-system failure, and death.

Prevention of abrupt discontinuation of intrathecal baclofen requires careful attention to programming and monitoring of the infusion system, refill scheduling and procedures, and pump alarms. Patients and caregivers should be advised of the importance of keeping scheduled refill visits and should be educated on the early symptoms of baclofen withdrawal. Special attention should be given to patients at risk (e.g., spinal cord injuries at T-6 or above, communication difficulties, history of withdrawal symptoms from oral or intrathecal baclofen).

This therapy is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to baclofen. Implantation of the infusion system is contraindicated if the patient is of insufficient body size, requires a pump implant deeper than 2.5 cm, or, in the presence of spinal anomalies or active infection.

The most frequent drug adverse events vary by indication but include: hypotonia (34.7%), somnolence (20.9%), headache (10.7%), convulsion (10.0%), dizziness (8.0%), urinary retention (8.0%), nausea (7.3%), and paresthesia (6.7%). Pump system component failures leading to pump stall, or dosing/programming errors may result in clinically significant overdose or underdose. Acute massive overdose may result in coma and may be life threatening.

The most frequent and serious adverse events related to device and implant procedures are catheter dislodgement from the intrathecal space, catheter break/cut, and implant site infection including meningitis. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may cause patient injury, system damage, operational changes to the pump, and changes in flow rate.

Please refer to the full prescribing information and system information for details or call Medtronic at 1-800-328-0810. Rx Only. Lioresal® is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.


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