What Medications Cause Burning Feet? Understanding Drug-Induced Neuropathy

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, drug-induced peripheral neuropathy, which can cause a burning sensation in the feet, accounts for up to 4% of all neuropathy cases. This condition can result from a wide range of medications, making it crucial to understand the connection between certain treatments and this uncomfortable side effect.

Quick Summary

A burning sensation in the feet can be a side effect of certain medications due to nerve damage. This guide outlines several common drug classes, including chemotherapy agents, antibiotics, statins, and others, that can lead to this condition and how it manifests.

Key Points

Drug-Induced Neuropathy: The burning sensation in the feet can be a side effect of certain medications that damage the peripheral nerves.
Common Culprits: Chemotherapy drugs, certain antibiotics (like fluoroquinolones and metronidazole), statins, and some HIV medications are frequently linked to this symptom.
Dose-Dependent Risk: The risk and severity of neuropathy often depend on the dose and duration of medication, especially with chemotherapy and long-term use of other drugs.
Variable Reversibility: While symptoms can improve after discontinuing the offending drug, particularly if addressed early, some nerve damage can be permanent.
Consult a Professional: It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider immediately if you suspect a medication is causing burning feet. Do not stop taking any prescribed medicine without a doctor's guidance.
Management Strategies: Treatment may involve adjusting the medication, pain management with other drugs (like antidepressants or anticonvulsants), and lifestyle adjustments to support nerve health.

Understanding Drug-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Drug-induced peripheral neuropathy (DIPN) is a condition that results from nerve damage caused by medications. The peripheral nervous system transmits signals between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the rest of the body. When these nerves are damaged, it can lead to a variety of sensory disturbances, including the painful burning sensation often felt in the feet. This reaction can affect different types of nerves—sensory, motor, or autonomic—leading to different sets of symptoms. Most commonly, DIPN presents as a 'stocking-glove' pattern, with symptoms appearing first and most intensely in the feet and hands.

The mechanisms behind DIPN vary by medication. Some drugs may damage the nerve's axon, which is responsible for transmitting signals, while others can harm the myelin sheath, the protective coating around the nerve. Other mechanisms include interference with mitochondrial function or disruption of cellular transport systems. The severity often depends on the dosage and duration of the treatment, and in some cases, symptoms may persist or even worsen for a period after the medication is stopped.

Common Medications Linked to Burning Feet

Many different classes of drugs are known to potentially cause peripheral neuropathy, leading to burning feet. Awareness of these is key for patients and healthcare providers to monitor symptoms and manage care effectively. It's important to note that not everyone taking these medications will experience this side effect, and risk factors can vary.

Chemotherapy Drugs

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a well-documented side effect of several cancer treatments. These powerful drugs, designed to kill rapidly dividing cells, can also harm healthy nerve cells. Key culprits include:

Platinum-based drugs: Cisplatin and oxaliplatin.
Taxanes: Paclitaxel and docetaxel.
Vinca alkaloids: Vincristine.
Proteasome inhibitors: Bortezomib.
Immunomodulatory drugs: Thalidomide.

Antibiotics

Some antibiotics, especially with prolonged or high-dose use, have been linked to nerve damage. These include:

Fluoroquinolones: Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin (Levaquin), and others.
Metronidazole (Flagyl): Often used for bacterial and parasitic infections.
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid): Used for urinary tract infections.
Isoniazid: An antituberculosis medication.
Linezolid: Used for drug-resistant infections.

Cardiovascular Medications

Heart and blood pressure medications can also be a cause. Examples include:

Statins: For cholesterol reduction, with risk often linked to long-term use.
Amiodarone: For heart rhythm problems.
Hydralazine: For high blood pressure.

Other Drug Classes

HIV/AIDS Medications: Certain nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) like didanosine and stavudine.
Immunosuppressants: Some drugs for autoimmune diseases, such as TNF-alpha blockers like infliximab and etanercept.
Excessive Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): While vital for nerve health, too much can be toxic.
Anticonvulsants: Phenytoin, used for epilepsy.
Metformin: Some studies suggest a link to nerve damage in people taking this common diabetes medication, potentially due to reduced vitamin B12 levels.

Comparison of Medications Causing Neuropathy


Drug Class	Mechanism of Nerve Damage	Common Symptoms	Potential for Reversibility
Chemotherapy	Direct damage to nerve fibers; mitochondrial dysfunction.	Burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, balance issues.	Varies, can be permanent, but often improves over time after discontinuation.
Antibiotics	Axonal degeneration; mitochondrial toxicity (Linezolid); B6 interference (Isoniazid).	Burning, tingling, numbness, pain.	Often reversible upon discontinuation, especially if caught early.
Statins	Alterations of nerve membrane function; disruption of ubiquinone synthesis.	Burning, tingling, pain, decreased vibration perception.	Variable, sometimes dose-dependent and reversible with cessation.
Amiodarone	Axonal loss and demyelination.	Burning, tingling, weakness (sensory and motor deficits).	Variable, depends on duration of use; may resolve partially or completely.
HIV NRTIs	Inhibition of γ-DNA polymerase, causing mitochondrial dysfunction.	Burning, shooting pain, weakness, numbness.	Improves with dose reduction or cessation, though damage can be permanent in severe cases.

What to Do If You Experience Burning Feet

If you suspect a medication is causing a burning sensation in your feet, it is important to take the following steps:

Consult Your Doctor Immediately: Never stop or alter a medication dosage on your own. Discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider, who can confirm if your medication is the cause and determine the best course of action, which may include adjusting the dose or switching to an alternative drug.
Report Symptoms Accurately: Keep a log of your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and any triggers (e.g., changes in temperature). This information is invaluable for your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis.
Explore Symptom Management: Your doctor may recommend treatments to manage the discomfort. Options can include medications for nerve pain (such as certain antidepressants or anticonvulsants), topical creams (like capsaicin or lidocaine), or physical therapy to improve nerve function.
Prioritize Nerve Health: Some risk factors for neuropathy, such as diabetes and vitamin deficiencies, can be managed with lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in nutrients, regular exercise to improve blood flow, and avoiding excessive alcohol can help support nerve health. Protecting your feet from injury is also critical due to potential loss of sensation.

Conclusion

While medication-induced peripheral neuropathy causing burning feet is a challenging side effect, it is a manageable condition. The first step involves recognizing the potential link between your treatment and symptoms, particularly for common neurotoxic drug classes like chemotherapy agents, antibiotics, and statins. By working closely with your healthcare provider and taking proactive steps to manage symptoms and support nerve health, you can minimize the impact of drug-induced neuropathy on your quality of life. Open communication with your medical team is the most effective strategy for identifying the root cause and ensuring a safe, individualized treatment plan. For more detailed information on specific drugs, resources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offer valuable data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some heart and blood pressure medications, such as amiodarone, hydralazine, and certain statins, can cause peripheral neuropathy, which may lead to a burning sensation in the feet. Always discuss any new symptoms with your doctor.

Not necessarily. The reversibility depends on the specific drug, the extent of the nerve damage, and how quickly the issue is addressed. Many cases improve or resolve completely after discontinuing the medication, but in severe cases, some damage may be permanent.

Contact your doctor immediately. They can evaluate your symptoms, determine if the medication is the cause, and decide whether to adjust the dose, switch to an alternative, or explore other treatment options. Never stop a prescribed medication without medical advice.

Yes, certain antibiotics, particularly with prolonged use, are known to cause peripheral neuropathy. These include fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), metronidazole, and isoniazid.

Some topical creams containing capsaicin or lidocaine may help manage the symptoms of burning feet. However, these only provide temporary relief and should be used alongside a doctor's recommended treatment plan.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can cause a variety of symptoms, including numbness, tingling, and pain, with burning feet being a common manifestation. It is a frequent side effect, but the specific symptoms can vary depending on the type and dose of the chemotherapy.

Yes. While a deficiency in certain vitamins (like B12) can cause neuropathy, excessive intake of others, specifically vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), can be toxic to nerves and lead to a burning feet sensation.