Baclofinding solutions: Baclofen-induced encephalopathy in a peritoneal dialysis patient.

Abstract

Baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid agonist that is commonly and widely used for the treatment of muscle spasticity. Given its predominant kidney excretion, patients with reduced kidney function are at particular risk of drug accumulation and toxicity, with neurotoxicity in the form of drowsiness, encephalopathy, seizures, and coma being the most reported clinical features. In addition to the importance of early identification of baclofen toxicity and drug discontinuation, dialysis can effectively accelerate baclofen elimination given its small molecule weight, and the relatively low volume of distribution and weak protein binding. While several cases of baclofen-induced toxicity have been reported in hemodialysis patients, the literature on baclofen toxicity in individuals receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) is limited. Here, we present a case of baclofen-induced encephalopathy in a PD patient following a single dose of baclofen. In this case, our patient was managed by continuous (24 h) automated PD, with complete recovery of neurological status within three days.