Drug Mnemonic

Baclofen

GABA-B Agonist • Muscle Relaxant • Antispasticity
June 20, 2026

A story built from the name baclofen itself - so the mechanism of action, key side effects, and the way Step 1 actually tests it stick on the first read.

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RxMnemonic Muscle Relaxant
Baclofen
GABA-B Agonist • Muscle Relaxant • Antispasticity
BAC = back + LOFEN = loafin'
Separate baclofen into BAC (sounds like back) and LOFEN (sounds like loafin'). Imagine your back muscles loafin' around, with all the tension gone. GABA is the body's main brake, so if your back muscles are loafin', GABA must be turned on. This makes baclofen a GABA-B agonist, and the B in Baclofen points you straight to GABA-B.  Back loafin', GABA-B agonist.
Baclofen pharmacology mnemonic illustration
Muscle Relaxant BAC = back | LOFEN = loafin'
HOW STEP TESTS IT
1
Baclofen is a GABA-B receptor agonist that acts in the spinal cord to reduce excitability, thereby relaxing spastic skeletal muscle. Remember the B: Baclofen acts on GABA-B, while benzodiazepines and barbiturates act on GABA-A.
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Practice Question

A 48-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis is started on baclofen for lower-extremity spasticity. The drug decreases excitatory neurotransmitter release. Which mechanism best explains this effect?

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