Letter to the Editor
Baclofen-induced Neurotoxicity in Chronic Renal Failure Patients with Intractable Hiccups
Abstract
Intractable hiccups (>48 h) are unsatisfactorily treated with most medications. Currently, baclofen—a γ–aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist which is eliminated predominantly by the kidneys—has been documented as one effective therapy for the treatment of intractable hiccups.1 One of the disturbing side effects of baclofen, however, is neurotoxicity, which is often overlooked and rarely reported in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).2–5 We report two CRF patients who rapidly developed neurotoxicity after taking a low dose of baclofen for their intractable hiccups.This content is limited to qualifying members.
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References
1. Yaqoob M, Prabhu P, Ahmad R. Baclofen for intractable hiccups. Lancet 1989;2:562–563.
2. Dahlin PA, George J. Baclofen toxicity associated with declining renal clearance after ibuprofen. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1984;18: 805–808.
3. White WB. Aggravated CNS depression with urinary retention secondary to baclofen administration.Arch Intern Med 1985;145:1717– 1718.
4. Mery JP, Kenouch S. Oral baclofen may be effective in patients with spasticity due to spinal cord injury or disease. Am J Kidney Dis 1987;10:326.
5. Chen KS, Bullard MJ, Chien YY, et al. Baclofen toxicity in patients with severely impaired renal function. Ann Pharmacother 1997;31:1315–1320.
