Peripheral neuropathy

March 2008     View PDF     En español

Who is at risk?

Several risk factors put people living with HIV at a higher risk for PN. These include a history of PN, higher viral load, CD4 count below 100, an AIDS-defining condition, use of drugs that damage nerves, diabetes, poor nutrition, and heavy use of alcohol. Peripheral neuropathy more often appears in later stage HIV disease.

Men and women seem to have PN at about the same rate. Older adults are more at risk for PN. People who do not get enough vitamins (especially B12 and E) and minerals in their diets or through supplements are also at higher risk. People are more at risk when they get too much vitamin B6 or drink excessive amounts of alcohol.

Several drugs commonly used in HIV disease can increase the risk of PN: Zerit, Videx, Dapsone, INH (isoniazid), Flagyl (metronidazole), Oncovin (vincristine), Myambutol (ethambutol) and Zyvox (linezolid). If you take any of these, or especially two or more of them, you may be more at risk. The risk increases yet again if you also have any of those conditions listed above.