Adverse effects secondary to baclofen withdrawal.

Drug therapy is now the preferred method of treatment for spasticity, and several effective agents have been developed. The safety and efficacy of these drugs has been established in short-term studies. Overall, due to its low incidence of sedation and serious side effects, baclofen appears to be the drug of choice in the treatment of spinal cord-related spasticity. It is, however, not without its side effects due to both its administration and abrupt withdrawal. This case illustrates some significant problems associated with the abrupt withdrawal of long-term baclofen therapy in a patient with multiple sclerosis.