Alcofen Xl 20 Tab is used to reduce and relieve muscle spasms (excessive tension in the muscles) occurring in various illnesses. Muscle spasm is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms.

Alcofen Xl 20 Tab works on the spinal cord and brain thereby helping in maintaining muscle strength and relieving muscle spasms or stiffness. Thus Alcofen Xl 20 Tab reduces muscle spasm in the conditions of multiple sclerosis (a disorder which affects the brain and spinal cord), cerebrovascular accidents (damage to the brain due to lack of blood supply), cerebral palsy (a disorder of movement, posture and muscle tone), spinal cord diseases and other nervous system disorders.

Take Alcofen Xl 20 Tab with food. You are advised to take Alcofen Xl 20 Tab for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as sleepiness, drowsiness, nausea, headache, weakness, and dry mouth. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are suggested to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.

Do not discontinue Alcofen Xl 20 Tab suddenly as it could lead to unpleasant side-effects such as rigidity, increased heart rate, changes in mood, fever, mental disorders, confusion, hallucinations, and fits (seizures). Consult your doctor before taking Alcofen Xl 20 Tab if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Alcofen Xl 20 Tab is not recommended for children below 4 years of age and those who weigh below 33 kg. Inform your doctor about all the current medicines you are taking and about your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side-effects. Please speak to your doctor immediately if you experience mood swings or depression or if you have any suicidal thoughts.

Alcofen Xl 20 Tab belongs to the group of medicines called muscle relaxants used to reduce and relieve the muscle spasms (excessive tension in the muscles) occurring in various illnesses such as multiple sclerosis (a disorder which affects the brain and spinal cord), cerebrovascular accidents (damage to the brain due to lack of blood supply), cerebral palsy (a disorder of movement, posture and muscle tone), spinal cord diseases and other nervous system disorders. Alcofen Xl 20 Tab works by inhibiting the reflexes at the spinal level, helps in relieving pain and improves muscle movements. Alcofen Xl 20 Tab is particularly effective for relieving involuntary muscle spasms in the ankle, hip, and knee. Alcofen Xl 20 Tab also helps in restoring muscle function; however, Alcofen Xl 20 Tab is not effective for muscle spasms caused by stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. Alcofen Xl 20 Tab works on the centres of the spinal cord and brain, thereby helping in maintaining muscle strength and relieving muscle spasms or stiffness. Alcofen Xl 20 Tab is used off-label to treat hiccups or Tourette’s syndrome (a nervous problem which causes people to make uncontrollable sudden movements or sounds).

• Sleepiness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Weakness
• Dry mouth

Do not take Alcofen Xl 20 Tab if you are allergic to any of its contents or if you ever had a stomach ulcer. Talk to your doctor before taking Alcofen Xl 20 Tab if you have kidney or liver problems, mental disorders, breathing difficulty or lung disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, or if you ever had a stroke. Consult your doctor before taking Alcofen Xl 20 Tab if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Alcofen Xl 20 Tab is not recommended for children below four years of age and those who weigh below 33 kg.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Alcofen Xl 20 Tab may have interaction with pain killers (hydrocodone, methadone, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, morphine, fentanyl, tramadol), opiate antagonists (naloxone), muscle relaxant (tizanidine), drugs used to treat mood disorders (lithium, amitriptyline), calcium channel blocker (diltiazem), drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease (levodopa, carbidopa), anti-histamine (promethazine), sedative medicine (temazepam), and anti-convulsant (carbamazepine).

Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Alcofen Xl 20 Tab as it might cause increased sleepiness, drowsiness, and difficulty in concentrating.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney dysfunction, seizures (fits), psychosis (a severe mental disorder with impaired thoughts and emotions), and autonomic dysreflexia (spinal cord injury).

• HYDROCODONE
• ACETAMINOPHEN
• IBUPROFEN
• MORPHINE
• FENTANYL
• TRAMADOL
• NALOXONE
• TIZANIDINE
• LITHIUM
• AMITRIPTYLINE
• DILTIAZEM
• LEVODOPA
• PROMETHAZINE
• CARBAMAZEPINE

• Exercising regularly helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear, and sprain. Mild exercises such as jogging and walking are helpful for muscle stretching.

• Massages can also be helpful.

• Avoid extremely cold and hot temperatures.

• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, instead, wear loose garments.

• Rest well, get plenty of sleep.

• To avoid developing pressure sores, change your position at least every two hours.

• Hot or cold therapy can be helpful in treating muscle spasms. Apply an ice-pack or hot-pack on the muscle for 15-20minutes.

• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.

• Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests to monitor liver function.
• Inform your doctor that you are taking Alcofen Xl 20 Tab if you are due to undergo any surgery which requires a general anaesthetic.
• Please talk to your doctor immediately if you experience mood swings, depression, or if you have any suicidal thoughts.

Muscle spasm: It is the sudden involuntary contractions of the muscle, which can be painful and uncomfortable. When the nerve impulses that control the muscle movements are damaged or interrupted, it could lead to muscle spasms. Symptoms include muscle tightness, joint stiffness, unusual posture, difficulty in moving, and pain in affected muscles and joints. Fatigue (weakness), stress, extreme heat or cold, infection, and tight clothing can trigger muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants and exercise can treat muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants sedate the muscle and help in inhibiting painful contractions. Exercise helps in muscle stretching so that they are less likely to spasm, tear, and sprain.