DISULFIRAM NEUROPATHY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 123  (2) , 123-126
Abstract
Disulfiram (Antabuse) [a drug used in the treatment of alcohol abuse] can produce neuropathy in daily doses of less than the usually recommended 500 mg. The 4 recent cases reported in this paper emphasize the need for greater recognition of this condition. Nerve biopsies showed axonal degeneration. The neuropathy is difficult to distinguish from that associated with ethanol abuse. Disulfiram neuropathy occurs after a variable latent period (mean 5-6 mo.) and progresses steadily. Slow improvement may occur when the drug''s use is stopped; often there is complete recovery eventually.