[Disulfiram neuropathy].

Two chronically alcohol-addicted patients, a 37-year old woman and a 22-year old man, developed a severe polyneuropathy after being treated with very high doses of disulfiram. In the first case there was a high-grade proximal tetraparesis, especially of the legs; in the other there was a similar largely motor, but predominantly distal, neuropathy. Electrophysiological tests established a pattern of axonal damage. Guillain-Barré syndrome was excluded by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. Over a period of observation of 6 months and 2 1/2 years, respectively, the paresis continued even after disulfiram had been discontinued. 2 1/2 years later the electrophysiological changes were still present. As disulfiram treatment may cause severe side effects it is recommended that the lowest possible dosage by employed.