Medication-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Although not very common, medication-induced neuropathy is a treatable condition and, therefore, is important to identify. Medications continue to grow in number and expand in usage; consequently, toxic neuropathy continues to be relevant to neurologists. Many agents have toxicities that are tolerated because the treatments are necessary, such as therapies for HIV and malignancy. Additional agents to prevent or ameliorate the toxic neuropathy are being sought and trials are ongoing. Certain patients, however, may be at high risk for peripheral nerve toxicity due to genetic factors or another underlying neuropathy. Newer drug-delivery methods, such as viral transfection, may produce less toxicity in the future. The underlying pathomechanisms remain incompletely elucidated; however, apoptosis is emerging as an important final pathway in some forms of toxic neuropathy. Although most cases demonstrate acute or subacute onset after exposure, recent experiences with statin drugs raise the possibility of occult toxic causes of chronic idiopathic neuropathy.
Weimer
Louis H
LH
Neurological Institute of New York, 710 West 168th Street, Unit 55, New York, NY 10032, USA. Lhw1@columbia.edu
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents