Drug-Induced PN
Neuropathy is a common side effect of certain medications, especially those used to treat HIV/AIDS and those used in chemotherapy, to fight cancer.
In some people, these medications may cause nerve damage that results in a loss of sensation or movement in part of the body. Although uncomfortable and perhaps painful, this condition is not life threatening. Peripheral neuropathy will often go away if these drugs are changed or discontinued, or if the dose is reduced. It can take several months for peripheral neuropathy to completely heal after discontinuing these drugs, but the patient may start to feel better within a few weeks. In extreme cases, however, the nerve damage may be permanent.
Some of the drugs that may cause peripheral neuropathy include:
- Anti-alcohol drugs (Disulfiram)
- Anticonvulsants: Phenytoin (Dilantin®)
- Cancer medications:
- Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin
- taxanes
- epothilones
- Vincristine
- Immunomodulatory drugs: Thalidomide
- Proteasome inhibitors: Bortezomib
- Immune checkpoint inhibtors: Nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab
- Heart or blood pressure medications (Amiodarone)
- Hydralazine
- Perhexiline
- Colchicine
- Infection fighting drugs (Metronidazole, Flagyl®, Fluoroquinolones: Cipro®, Levaquin®)
- Nitrofurantoin
- Antituberculous drugs
- INH (Isoniazid)
- Skin condition treatment drugs (Dapsone)
- Pyridoxine (Vit B6)
- Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, ciclosporin)
For a more extensive list click here.
Symptoms & Signs
(Not all symptoms and signs may be present.)
- Numbness
- Loss of sensation
- Tingling
- Abnormal sensations
- Sensations usually first occur in feet or hands
- Weakness
Evaluation & Tests
(Not all evaluation and tests may be necessary.)
- Physical examination
- Neurological exam
- Electromyography
- Nerve conduction velocity test
- Blood tests
Treatment & Therapy
(Not all treatments and therapies may be indicated.)
Therapies focus on treating the symptoms, including:
- Medications causing the neuropathy may be stopped or altered
- Over-the-counter pain medication for mild pain.
- For severe pain, take over-the-counter pain medication or prescription drugs used for peripheral neuropathy, on a regular basis—rather than waiting until nighttime when symptoms can become more severe.
- Antidepressants (for pain control)
- Take safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation
- Ask your doctor about special therapeutic shoes (which may be covered by Medicare and other insurance).
FPN's Educational Webinars are available to all!
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has countless resources for PN patients – one great example is our webinars on various topics related to understanding this condition and how you can get your life back on track!
FPN’s educational webinars have proven to help tens of thousands of patients and their caregivers on an annual basis. We record all of our programs and post these webinars online for our constituents to view again at their leisure.