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20 April 2015 : Case report  USA

Encephalopathy and Hypotonia due to Baclofen Toxicity in a Patient with End-Stage Renal Disease

Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment, Adverse events of drug therapy, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)

Mohsin IjazAEF, Hassan TariqEF, Muhammad KashifEF, Jose Gomez MarquezAEF

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.893222

Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:232-235

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Baclofen is a centrally acting gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist used for the symptomatic relief of skeletal muscle spasm and spasticity in traumatic spinal cord lesions, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke. It is also used in the treatment of chronic hiccups and cocaine abuse. Baclofen-induced central nervous system depression is rare at the usual therapeutic doses. However, patients with impaired renal function are at a higher risk of developing baclofen toxicity, even at a lower dose.

CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis was admitted to our emergency department with progressive confusion and a generalized decrease in muscular tone. There was no obvious metabolic or infectious etiology that could have explained her condition. A comprehensive laboratory and imaging workup was negative. A review of her medication showed that she had recently been prescribed baclofen for muscular spasm. She was diagnosed with baclofen toxicity and was treated with emergent hemodialysis, which improved her mental status and her decreased muscle tone. Repeated sessions of hemodialysis administered on her second and third days of admission ultimately produced sustained clinical improvement and a complete return to her baseline mental status. She was subsequently discharged home with instructions to stay off baclofen.

CONCLUSIONS: Baclofen toxicity is an under-diagnosed condition, especially in patients with renal dysfunction. Physicians should consider baclofen toxicity in patients with suboptimal kidney function on baclofen who present with altered mental status. Emergent hemodialysis and intensive care unit monitoring is recommended.

Keywords: Brain Diseases - diagnosis, Baclofen - therapeutic use, Kidney Failure, Chronic - complications, Muscle Hypotonia - diagnosis, Muscle Relaxants, Central - therapeutic use, Muscle Spasticity - etiology

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American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923