Drug-induced paresthesia
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Synopsis
DIP can be an acute reaction to medications or a result of a drug-induced neuropathy. Symptoms may be related to peak dose effect or cumulative dose. These can occur at any age, although the elderly are at increased risk for illnesses that are associated with peripheral neuropathy. Preexisting or subclinical peripheral neuropathy may predispose patients to more severe DIP.
There are many medications that can cause DIP; with any new onset of paresthesias after initiation of a medication, DIP should be considered.
Acute, nonpathological DIP can be seen with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, including acetazolamide, topiramate, and zonisamide, because of electrolyte shifts at nerve membranes. DIP may be dose related and result from too-rapid titration.
Many chemotherapeutic agents are associated with DIP, usually cumulative dose dependent, and may be a dose-limiting factor; these include vinca alkaloids, taxanes, thalidomide, and platin agents. The latter causes symptoms by damaging the sensory ganglion as opposed to the distal axon and this is more likely to be permanent.
Codes
R20.2 – Paresthesia of skin
T50.995A – Adverse effect of other drugs, medicaments and biological substances, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
278993004 – Drug-induced
91019004 – Paresthesia
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Last Updated:11/30/2017