Baclofen Toxicity in a Patient with Hemodialysis-Dependent End-Stage Renal Disease

Publication date: Available online 24 October 2016
Source:The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Author(s): Lauren M. Porter, Stephanie S. Merrick, Kenneth D. Katz
BackgroundOral baclofen toxicity is extremely rare, but can affect patients with renal disease due to the drug's predominant renal clearance of approximately 69–85%. Patients with severely impaired renal function typically develop symptoms soon after initiating baclofen therapy, even at relatively low doses.Case ReportA 69-year-old woman with a history of hemodialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease presented to the Emergency Department with encephalopathy, ataxia, and dystonia after the addition of a recent baclofen prescription for back pain (10 mg twice daily). She had been taking baclofen as prescribed for approximately 1 week when, the day prior to admission, she had increased her dose to a total of 40 mg. Diagnostic studies demonstrated the patient had chronic, end-stage renal disease and a supratherapeutic concentration of baclofen. Signs and symptoms resolved with hemodialysis.Why Should an Emergency Physician be Aware of This?It is of critical importance for emergency physicians to appreciate impaired baclofen clearance in those with underlying renal disease to obviate the potential for significant drug toxicity.



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