Two medicines, side by side
Orphenadrine vs baclofen
Orphenadrine and baclofen are both labeled for muscle spasms and spasticity. Drugs@FDA records approvals of orphenadrine since 1957 and of baclofen since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.454 per orphenadrine ER 100 mg tablet and $0.032 per baclofen 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, orphenadrine is a muscle relaxant and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the orphenadrine FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 10, 2025); the baclofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 12, 2024).
Highlights of the orphenadrine record
Orphenadrine (Disipal) · label of September 10, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsOrphenadrine citrate extended-release tablets are indicated as an adjunct to rest, physical therapy, and other measures for the relief of discomfort associated with acute painful musculoskeletal conditions.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 10, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 17 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.454 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the baclofen record
Baclofen (Gablofen) · label of August 12, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBaclofen tablets USP are useful for the alleviation of signs and symptoms of spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis, particularly for the relief of flexor spasms and concomitant pain, clonus, and muscular rigidity. Patients should have reversible spasticity so that baclofen treatment will aid in restoring residual function. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 22, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 55 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.032 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Orphenadrine label of September 10, 2025, Baclofen label of August 12, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do orphenadrine and baclofen differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, orphenadrine is a muscle relaxant and baclofen a gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic agonist.
Generics: orphenadrine since 1981; baclofen since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Orphenadrine | Baclofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Muscle spasms and spasticity | Muscle spasms and spasticity |
| Pharmacologic class | Muscle Relaxant | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 10, 1957 | November 22, 1977 |
| First generic approved | July 16, 1981 | July 21, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 17 labelers | 55 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.454 per tablet (Orphenadrine ER 100 mg tablet) | $0.032 per tablet (Baclofen 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 621 | 88,351 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to orphenadrine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions