Baclofen and the Risk of Encephalopathy

Dr. Y. Joseph Hwang, an Internist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, MD, reviews his article appearing in the May 2023 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings where he evaluated the risk of encephalopathy associated with oral baclofen when compared with 2 other muscle relaxants. Dr. Hwang found the risk of encephalopathy was greater with baclofen vs tizanidine or cyclobenzaprine use, and that the elevated risk was apparent as early as 30 days and persisted through the first year of treatment. Available at: mayocl.in/3Z4QT2v