Two Cases of Baclofen-Induced Encephalopathy in Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Abstract

Hiccups are a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm and usually transient phenomenon that affects nearly everyone. When hiccups develop, the patients are administrated antispastic agent, such as balcofen. Baclofen is widely used for the treatment of this spastic movement disorders. Also, baclofen is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative that induces presynaptic motor neuron inhibition and produces a central antispastic response. Baclofen toxicity is rare and has been reported with intrathecal pump and orally administered baclofen, particularly in patients with poor renal function. Herein, we report two cases of encephalopathy in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients who received low doses of baclofen for persistent hiccups. We suggest that, in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), baclofen should be avoided or started at a low dose. If the renal insufficiency patient develops toxic baclofen-induced encephalopathy, hemodialysis may be the proper treatment to improve clinical symptoms.