What Medication to Avoid with Peripheral Neuropathy

Because there are so many readily available medications, including pain meds, on the market today, it is no wonder that many people are conditioned to reach for a pill the moment they feel any pain or discomfort. For some, the pain doesn’t even have to be that serious before they will take medication to treat it. This can definitely be a temptation for those who experience the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Medication to Avoid with Peripheral Neuropathy

There are some medications to avoid with peripheral neuropathy. Some medicines have shown that they can actually make the situation worse. Antibiotics The FDA issued a safety notification regarding some of the more popular antibiotics available to patients today. These include the following:

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Gemifloxacin (Factive)
• Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• Ofloxacin (Floxin)

Even though these drugs have been around for decades and have shown to be successful in treating infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections, they can also cause serious nerve damage. This nerve damage can potentially lead to peripheral neuropathy. There are other drugs on the market today that can also lead to nerve damage. Some of these include the following:

• Diulfiram – anti-alcohol drug
• Phenytoin
• Cisplatin – cancer treatment
• Vincristine – cancer treatment
• Amiodarone and other blood pressure medications
• Metronidazole
• Nitrofurantoin
• Thalidomide – for fighting infections
• Dapsone – for treating skin conditions

The good news is, in many cases, a simple change of the dosage of these drugs can help reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Even though medications should not always be the go-to treatment for peripheral neuropathy, some doctors may prescribe certain medications as part of a larger treatment strategy. Arrowhead Health Centers uses several techniques including electronic stimulations, water therapy, balance training and stationary bike exercises to help with the pain and discomfort of peripheral neuropathy. In some cases, your team of specialists may recommend the use of a medication in limited doses to help with your treatment. It is important to realize that there is no specific cure for peripheral neuropathy. However, there continue to be better treatments for peripheral neuropathy. When you work with the team at Arrowhead Health Centers, we put together a Recovery Game Plan that is unique and tailored for each patient. This way, we help each patient see the best possible relief from the discomfort and irritation of peripheral neuropathy. Find out how we can help you or your loved one with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy by giving us a call today at 623-334-4000 option 9. Our team of helpful and friendly providers will schedule a free consultation for you to discuss your symptoms.