[Disulfiram neuropathy. Report of 3 cases].
Disulfiram is widely used for aversive treatment of alcoholism. Although it is well tolerated in most patients, one in 15,000 patients will develop peripheral neuropathy every year, which is frequently misdiagnosed as alcoholic neuropathy. Disulfiram neuropathy can be mild or severe, depending on diverse factors such as time of exposure and the dosage. Most patients will present with a motor-sensory neuropathy of the lower limbs, which tends to improve as disulfiram administration ceases, however some cases may remain with permanent sequelae. We report the clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological features of three patients who developed disulfiram neuropathy during treatment of alcoholism. Recovery was incomplete at 8 weeks after treatment cessation in all of them. No other findings justified the clinical features described in these patients. Considering the incidence of alcoholism and the wide use of disulfiram treatment in Chile, we suggest that disulfiram neuropathy is being underdiagnosed. We also stress the fact that disulfiram neuropathy could be avoided by using lower doses.
Bevilacqua
Jorge A
JA
Departamento de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, José Joaquín Aguirre, Programa de Morfología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile. jbevilac@machi.med.uchile.cl
Díaz
Mario
M
Díaz
Violeta
V
Silva
Carlos
C
Fruns
Manuel
M
D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D004221:Disulfiram