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Metronidazole is causing neuropathy

Metronidazole is a kind of antibiotic given in special cases of nasty infections. This antibiotic is sometimes mentioned as a cause for neuropathy. Other side effects, such as cerebellar symptoms, disturbances of the function of the cerebellar hemispheres and optical neuropathy are incidently reported.

These side effects are mostly reversible. ^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] Neuropathy of the autonomous nerves has been reported too, the so called autonomic neuropathy.^[5] Furthermore painful neuropathy has been seen after metronidazole therapy.^[6]

March 2010, prof. dr. Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, MD, PhD

Referenties

[1]: Graves TD, Condon M, Loucaidou M, Perry RJ. | Reversible metronidazole-induced cerebellar toxicity in a multiple transplant recipient. | J Neurol Sci. | 2009 Oct 15;285(1-2):238-40. Epub 2009 Jun 27.

[2]: Toumi S, Hammouda M, Essid A, Medimagh L, Slamia LB, Laouani-Kechrid C. | [Metronidazole-induced reversible cerebellar lesions and peripheral neuropathy]. | Med Mal Infect. | 2009 Dec;39(12):906-8. Epub 2008 Dec 31.

[3]: McGrath NM, Kent-Smith B, Sharp DM. | Reversible optic neuropathy due to metronidazole. | Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. | 2007 Aug;35(6):585-6.

[4]: Gupta BS, Baldwa S, Verma S, Gupta JB, Singhal A. | Metronidazole induced neuropathy. | Neurol India. | 2000 Jun;48(2):192-3.

[5]: Hobson-Webb LD, Roach ES, Donofrio PD. | Metronidazole: newly recognized cause of autonomic neuropathy. | J Child Neurol. | 2006 May;21(5):429-31.

[6]: Sarma GR, Kamath V. | Acute painful peripheral neuropathy due to metronidazole. | Neurol India. | 2005 Sep;53(3):372-3.