Treatment of baclofen overdose by haemodialysis: a pharmacokinetic study

Abstract

Baclofen is currently used in the treatment of muscle spasticity, especially in patients with multiple sclerosis or in patients with spinal or cerebral disorders. Baclofen is eliminated predominantly by the kidneys [1], putting patients with impaired renal function at particular risk for baclofen accumulation. Several investigators have suggested that haemodialyis is effective in the removal of baclofen [2], however the pharmakokinetics of baclofen elimination during haemodialysis remains unclear. We herein report a baclofen-associated encephalopathy, which was resolved by haemodialysis, and pharmacokinetic data is presented. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of baclofen-related encephalopathy with pharmacokinetic data during haemodialysis treatment.