Medications
Sometimes, neuropathy occurs as a side effect of certain medications. The nerve damage is often caused by the toxic effect of the medicines on the peripheral nerves, causing sensation changes in the outer parts of the body and gradually moving to the center of the body. Numbness, muscle weakness, and burning pain may also be present.
In neuropathies secondary to drugs, several nerves are often involved. Therefore, a proper diagnosis is required to identify the triggered area and determine the best treatment to alleviate the symptoms.
Medications that cause neuropathy include heart and blood pressure drugs and chemotherapy drugs. In addition, medicines for autoimmune diseases, infections, seizures, alcoholism, HIV, and gout may also have the same effect.
A neuropathy caused by a certain drug is treated by changing the medication or reducing its dose and stopping it altogether. However, patients should wait for their doctor’s advice before changing their drug intake to ensure safety. They should only take pain medications as instructed to manage their symptoms.
