A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has multiple sclerosis and a new prescription for baclofen. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Baclofen is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat spasticity in conditions such as multiple sclerosis. One of the most important safety instructions is to never stop baclofen abruptly. Sudden discontinuation can cause serious withdrawal symptoms including hallucinations, seizures, high fever, altered mental status, and rebound spasticity — effects that can be life-threatening. Clients must be tapered off the drug gradually under medical supervision. Avoiding a low-purine diet is irrelevant to baclofen; a low-purine diet is recommended for gout management. Taking baclofen on an empty stomach is also incorrect — it is generally advised to take baclofen with food or milk to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset, which is a common side effect. Using chamomile tea to alleviate insomnia is not an evidence-based or appropriate recommendation for a client on baclofen; baclofen itself can cause sedation and CNS depression, so adding herbal CNS depressants without provider guidance could be dangerous. Additionally, chamomile can interact with anticoagulants and has not been validated for managing baclofen-related insomnia. The instruction to avoid stopping the medication suddenly is the single most clinically critical point to reinforce and is therefore the correct answer.