title: Disulfiram neuropathy: two case reports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuropathy is a rare adverse side effect of disulfiram therapy and is under-recognized. There have been few case reports documenting this side effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cases of disulfiram peripheral neuropathy are discussed. The first case is that of a 25-year-old Caucasian woman who was exposed to disulfiram therapy for a total of 8 months and developed pain and stiffness that prevented her from walking. The second case is that of a 46-year-old Caucasian woman who developed sudden-onset numbness in her lower extremities with progression to pain. Her symptoms improved over the course of 2 months after cessation of disulfiram therapy. In both cases, symptoms improved after cessation of disulfiram therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disulfiram neuropathy occurs in persons with a history of chronic alcohol use. It is under-recognized and often attributed to alcoholic neuropathy given its comorbidity with alcoholic neuropathy. A greater understanding of this side effect may reduce neurologic complications related to disulfiram neuropathy and aid in early withdrawal of this offending agent.
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Division, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1520 San Pablo Street Suite 3000, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Anh Thu
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Medical Center; PIH Health Hospital-Whittier; Neurology Consultants Medical Group, 12401 Washington Boulevard, Whittier, CA, 90602, USA. rison@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rison
authors.affiliation: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Medical Center, 1520 San Pablo Street Suite 3000, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Said R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Beydoun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D004221:Disulfiram