Toxic neuropathies are alteration of the nervous system function that is caused by toxins from either medication or drugs or other substances.
Examples of toxic neuropathies include:
- Alcohol neuropathy
- Arsenic neuropathy
- Lead neuropathy
- Mercury neuropathy
- Taxane neuropathy
- Thallium neuropathy
- Vinca alkaloids neuropathy
| EXAMPLES OF TOXIC NEUROPATHIES. | |||
| NEUROPATHY | SIGNS/SYMPTOMS | TREATMENT | PROGNOSIS |
| Alcohol neuropathy | immobility, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, tingling sensation, constipation, diarrhea | Alcohol cessation, detox therapy, rehab assistance, vitamins, pain medication, and physical therapy. | Good if one adheres to the process of rehabilitation and cessation of alcohol. |
| Arsenic neuropathy | Muscle pain, fatigue, confusion, memory loss | Chelating agents, dialysis, bowel cleansing, blood transfusion | Good since it has a low mortality rate |
| Lead neuropathy | Anorexia constipation, numbness, dizziness, azotemia, osteomalacia, anemia, muscle weakness. | Chelation therapy, | Good with a very low mortality rate because it responds well to chelation therapy. |
| Mercury neuropathy | Metal fume fever consists of painful ejaculation, fever, chills, dizziness, headache, acrodynia, erethism. | Chelation therapy, removal of the source of mercury, supportive therapy, dietary therapy. | Fair but the damage that is usually caused by mercury poisoning is usually severe. |
| Taxane neuropathy | Tingling sensation, pain, numbness, | Gradual reduction of the dosage. | |
| Thallium neuropathy | Alopecia, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, numbness, tingling sensation, | Antidote with Radiogardase, removal of the source, maintain oxygen patency, | Is fair because the chances of death are low but it can lead to dementia and psychosis. |
| Vinca alkaloids neuropathy | Loss of tendon function, numbness, constipation. | antidote hyaluronidase, | Good since the only long-term effects that occur can vanish after continuous treatment. |
