Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Information Bulletin #13 May June 2001
The forum took place at St.Vincent's Cronin Auditorium in Manhattan. The next forum will also take place at St. Vincent's auditorium. On June 13th at 7:00, the forum topic will be HIV, Hepatitis and Your Liver. Some of Dr. Geraci's comments are presented here for those who were unable to attend. A summary of the entire forum is available at CRIA's web site, www.criany.org.
The symptoms of neuropathy include tingling, burning, numbness and shooting pain in the feet and occasionally the hands. Neuropathy can be caused by HIV itself, and certain drugs, including the anti-HIV medications ddI, d4T and ddC. Sometimes changing the drug combination may be helpful.
Although there is no proven treatment available for HIV-related neuropathy, there are several options available for managing the symptoms.
Neurontin (gabapentin), an anti-seizure medication, has been studied and proven effective in diabetic neuropathy, which is thought to be similar to HIV-related neuropathy. For night -time pain relief, Neurontin can be combined with topical pain relievers such as Lidocaine ointment and the Lidoderm patch. Capsaicin, available over the counter as Capzasin-P and Capzasin-HP, is another option for topical pain relief.
Other anti-seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin) are useful for treating symptoms of neuropathy, but they can lower the amount of HIV-fighting medication in the body. Lamotrigine (Lamictal), another anti-seizure medication, works differently from carbamazepine and phenytoin to reduce symptoms.
Elavil (Amitriptyline), an antidepressant, can work if given at a high enough dose (most people will get pain relief with a 100 mg. dose), but can cause side effects if given at higher doses.
People who are in severe pain from neuropathy may need pain killers such as oxycodone, morphine or the fentanyl patch, which is worn on the arm. People who are in pain can get relief from these drugs without losing their ability to function. You can contact the Mount Sinai Neuro-AIDS Research Program at (212) 241-0784. Their web site is www.mssm.edu/neurology/neuroaids/index.shtml
010510
TR010509
Copyright © 2001 - AIDS Treatment Data Network. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AIDS Treatment Data Network. Email: . AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor. AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV. 
Copyright ©1980, 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .