What happens if your baclofen pump runs out?

If the pump runs out of medicine, you might go into baclofen withdrawal, which is painful and might be life threatening. You’ll need to tell the scheduler your pump’s alarm date when you make a refill appointment.

Why would you need a baclofen pump?

Treatment with a baclofen pump is also called intrathecal baclofen therapy (ITB). Baclofen is one of the most effective medications for spasticity (involuntary muscle contractions that cause stiffness) and dystonia (muscle contractions that can result in twisted or abnormal postures).

How do you care for a baclofen pump?

What is involved in the management of a baclofen pump? The pump needs to be refilled at regular intervals (usually every 1 to 6 months) by a trained healthcare professional who possesses the equipment needed. The pump is refilled by inserting a needle through the skin into a refill port on the pump.

What is the most common potential complication of intrathecal baclofen therapy?

The most common types of complications seen with ITB are catheter-related, involving infections (usually Staphylococcus aureus) at a rate of 1% to 5% within the first 6 weeks; a 5% to 15% rate of catheter migration;and an incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leaks of about 1% per month.

When is a baclofen pump indicated?

Baclofen pump implantation is a surgical procedure performed to permanently implant a pump that delivers baclofen to the spinal fluid to treat severe to moderate-severe spasticity that is refractory to oral medications.

What should you assess before giving baclofen?

Assess patient’s spasticity, ROM, functional ability, and posture (e.g., head control and trunk stability), especially when beginning baclofen treatment or during dose adjustments.

How do you tell if baclofen pump is working?

If the pump is not replaced after the single beep alarm sounds, it will continue to operate for up to 90 days. A critical alarm (two tones) will then sound, and the pump will stop. A stopped pump results in loss of therapy, which can cause dangerous symptoms of baclofen withdrawal.

What is a baclofen pump interrogation?

Pump interrogation will provide: low reservoir alarm date, volume of expected baclofen left in pump, dose and concentration of ITB and it will also show any alarms or events that have occurred with the pump programming; battery life, low volume warning, malfunctions.

What are some complications with an intrathecal pump?

Complications from the implantation of an intrathecal pump can be categorized into surgical, mechanical, pharmacological, and medical (endocrine, edema, infections).

• Surgical complications.
• Bleeding.
• Catheter complications.
• Neurologic injury.
• Inflammatory mass.
• Infection.

What is the contraindications of baclofen?

Baclofen is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to baclofen or any component of its formulation. The baclofen injection solution is not recommended for intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or epidural administration.

Does baclofen raise blood pressure?

4 It is concluded that the increases in blood pressure and heart rate produced by high doses of baclofen are of central sympathetic origin.

What happens if pain pump runs dry?

Your pump can run dry if it isn’t refilled regularly. If your pump runs dry and becomes damaged, you may not be able to keep using it for your treatment. You might hear an alarm if your pump runs dry or stops working properly.

Can a pain pump leak?

Potential Problems While Wearing The Pain Pump. Sometimes medication leaks out of the small insertion site. If there is a significant amount of leakage, the wet dressing can be changed, just be careful not pull out the tubes.

What should I check before giving baclofen?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, mental/mood disorders (such as schizophrenia), brain disorders (such as seizures, stroke). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy.

Does baclofen have a black box warning?

The FDA requires a black box warning for baclofen. Abrupt withdrawal of intrathecal baclofen may occur in patients using the drug over two months.

Can baclofen cause tachycardia?

Cardiovascular side effects of Baclofen are most pronounced during anaesthetics or after overdose. Haemodynamic changes and conduction abnormalities including bradycardia, prolonged QTc, first-degree heart block, premature atrial contractions and supraventricular tachycardia have been published.