A patient with neuropathy has damage to one nerve or multiple nerves, resulting in a loss of sensation and problems moving. Certain medication can cause this damage, specifically to the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the spinal cord and brain. When the peripheral nerves are damaged, the communication from the brain is disrupted. The University of Chicago states that most patients have a reduction of symptoms once the medication is discontinued.
Chemotherapy Drugs
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for cancer, destroying the malignant tissues in the patient’s body. But chemotherapy drugs can also damage healthy tissues such as the peripheral nerves. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that two chemotherapy drugs are linked to neuropathy: vincristine and cisplatin. The American Cancer Society (ACS) adds that other chemotherapy drugs that cause peripheral neuropathy include paclitaxel, ixabepilone, lenalidomide and bortezomib. The neuropathy caused by chemotherapy can be short-term, though some patients may experience problems for up to two years.
HIV Drugs
A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its advance stage, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), cause peripheral neuropathy in one-third of patients, according to the University of Chicago. Medications to treat these conditions can also cause nerve damage, especially nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Examples of HIV drugs linked to peripheral neuropathy include amprenavir, zidovudine, ritonavir, didanosine, zalcitabine and stavudine. Reducing the dosage or changing medication can reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
Other Medications
Medications for other conditions may also cause neuropathy. For example, medications for heart and blood pressure problems such as perhexiline, amiodarone, indapamide and hydralazine can cause nerve damage. Medications for certain infections also result in neuropathy. Isoniazid prescribed for tuberculosis and thalidomide prescribed for leprosy are examples. Other medications to treat infections that cause neuropathy are metronidazole and nitrofurantoin. Phenytoin, an anticonvulsant prescribed for epilepsy, may also result in nerve damage. Another medication linked to neuropathy, disulfiram, treats alcoholism.
About this Author
Lia Stannard has her Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience with an emphasis on neuropsychology. She is a certified sexual assault crisis counselor. She has presented her research in memory at several national conferences. Stannard has been a freelance writer for more than five years, covering women’s health, politics and medicine.
