Question: You’ve mentioned that many drugs cause peripheral neuropathy. Could you provide a list?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Most chemotherapy agents and anti-metabolite medications commonly are associated with neuropathy. Cardiac, hypertension, cholesterol/lipid, diabetes, and typical short-term antibiotic medications are generally free of this problem.

Nutritional deficiency is a common precipitant for neuropathy. Chronic alcohol intake, and indeed overuse of some "nutritional" supplements available without prescription also may be implicated. Always discuss supplement use with your doctor especially when taking prescribed medications.

Chronic alcohol overuse is associated with specific nutritional deficiencies, especially thiamine, B12, folic acid, and other B vitamins. Diabetes, infections, and vascular disorders are the most common medical causes of neuropathy when nutritional causes are excluded. Environmental toxins, excess supplementation of trace elements, heavy metal exposure, and tobacco use have also been associated with neuropathy.

The list of medicines that have been associated with neuropathy is extensive and beyond my limited space here. Some are reversible, while others are not. Sometimes interaction between medications also may lead to neuropathy complaints. Discuss your concern with your prescribing physicians or your healthcare professional.