Conditions and symptoms
What Is Neurotoxicity? Medicine Warnings About Nerves
Neurotoxicity · say it: noor-oh-tok-SIS-ih-teeAlso written: neurotoxic, nerve toxicity, neurological toxicity, ICANS
Short answer
Neurotoxicity means damage or disturbance to the brain, spinal cord or nerves caused by a medicine, chemical or other toxic substance.
What it means
Neurotoxicity is harm to the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and the nerves that run through the body. Depending on what is affected, it can cause confusion, drowsiness, headaches, seizures, problems with speech or balance, or numbness, tingling and pain in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). Some effects pass when the medicine is stopped or reduced; others can last. Sudden confusion, seizures, trouble speaking or severe drowsiness need urgent medical help.
Labels for some chemotherapy medicines, some antibiotics and antivirals, lithium, some immune therapies (such as CAR-T cell therapy, where it may be called ICANS) and high doses of some other medicines warn about neurotoxicity. Labels may ask for blood level checks, regular examinations or for certain symptoms to be reported straight away, so the treatment can be adjusted.
Neurotoxicity is a broad term. Peripheral neuropathy is one specific type, affecting the nerves in the limbs. Ototoxicity (ear) and hepatotoxicity (liver) are similar words for harm to other organs.
Where you may see it
- Boxed warnings and 'Warnings' sections of some cancer and immune therapy labels
- Lithium and some antibiotic labels
- Oncology and neurology clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Neurotoxicity, including confusion, seizures and peripheral neuropathy, has been reported. Monitor patients for neurological signs and symptoms.
🙅 What it does not mean
- A neurotoxicity warning does not mean nerve damage is expected; it tells you what to watch for.
- Not all tingling or tiredness on treatment is neurotoxicity, but new symptoms should be reported.
- Some neurotoxic effects improve after the medicine is changed or stopped.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Neurotoxicity”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Ivermectin
An antiparasitic medicine, sometimes called a worm-killing medicine (anthelmintic), that the FDA lists as an antiparasitic and pediculicide
- Metronidazole
An antimicrobial medicine of the nitroimidazole type, used to treat certain bacterial and parasitic infections
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Neurotoxicity” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “neurotoxicity”
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