Single low dose baclofen induced encephalopathy in patient with renal failure: Case report with literature review

Abstract

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant widely administered, often used as a treatment for certain forms of spasticity and other diseases. It is excreted mainly through the kidneys; toxicity is a potentially serious adverse effect in patients with impaired kidney function. Here we report a case of 80-year-old female patient with renal failure presented with acute confusion within 24 hours of receiving one single low dose of baclofen. After negating all the causes of her current presentation, a diagnosis of baclofen toxicity was made and subsequently hemodialysis was done with improvement in her conscious level. We aim to highlight the potential risk of baclofen toxicity in patients with kidney impairment even with a low dose and recommend avoiding prescribing baclofen for such patients.