Pharmacological Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: An Update. 2022

Mohamed Rafiullah, and Khalid Siddiqui
Strategic Center for Diabetes Research, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes. 50% of adults with diabetes will develop neuropathy in their lifetime. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the major form of neuropathy found in 75% of diabetic neuropathy incidences. Pharmacological treatments are recommended for pain management in DPN. Anticonvulsants like pregabalin and gabapentin are the preferred first-line treatment, followed by amitriptyline, duloxetine, and venlafaxine. Topical agents like capsaicin and isosorbide dinitrate are also useful in treating the DPN and may be considered for the second or third-line treatment. Opioids and related drugs are suggested for short-term use during the acute exacerbation of pain. Combination therapy may be beneficial in patients who do not respond to monotherapy. However, currently, there is no compelling evidence to suggest any specific combination of agents. Disease-modifying agents such as alpha-lipoic acid and epalrestat appear to improve the disease state but are not recommended by any guideline. This review discusses the available pharmacological therapy for treating DPN. Also, we highlight the recommendations from different guidelines about the pharmacological treatment of DPN.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010146 Pain An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS. Suffering, Physical,Ache,Pain, Burning,Pain, Crushing,Pain, Migratory,Pain, Radiating,Pain, Splitting,Aches,Burning Pain,Burning Pains,Crushing Pain,Crushing Pains,Migratory Pain,Migratory Pains,Pains, Burning,Pains, Crushing,Pains, Migratory,Pains, Radiating,Pains, Splitting,Physical Suffering,Physical Sufferings,Radiating Pain,Radiating Pains,Splitting Pain,Splitting Pains,Sufferings, Physical
D003920 Diabetes Mellitus A heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by HYPERGLYCEMIA and GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE.
D003929 Diabetic Neuropathies Peripheral, autonomic, and cranial nerve disorders that are associated with DIABETES MELLITUS. These conditions usually result from diabetic microvascular injury involving small blood vessels that supply nerves (VASA NERVORUM). Relatively common conditions which may be associated with diabetic neuropathy include third nerve palsy (see OCULOMOTOR NERVE DISEASES); MONONEUROPATHY; mononeuropathy multiplex; diabetic amyotrophy; a painful POLYNEUROPATHY; autonomic neuropathy; and thoracoabdominal neuropathy. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1325) Diabetic Amyotrophy,Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy,Diabetic Neuralgia,Diabetic Polyneuropathy,Neuralgia, Diabetic,Asymmetric Diabetic Proximal Motor Neuropathy,Diabetic Asymmetric Polyneuropathy,Diabetic Mononeuropathy,Diabetic Mononeuropathy Simplex,Diabetic Neuropathy, Painful,Mononeuropathy, Diabetic,Symmetric Diabetic Proximal Motor Neuropathy,Amyotrophies, Diabetic,Amyotrophy, Diabetic,Asymmetric Polyneuropathies, Diabetic,Asymmetric Polyneuropathy, Diabetic,Autonomic Neuropathies, Diabetic,Autonomic Neuropathy, Diabetic,Diabetic Amyotrophies,Diabetic Asymmetric Polyneuropathies,Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathies,Diabetic Mononeuropathies,Diabetic Mononeuropathy Simplices,Diabetic Neuralgias,Diabetic Neuropathies, Painful,Diabetic Neuropathy,Diabetic Polyneuropathies,Mononeuropathies, Diabetic,Mononeuropathy Simplex, Diabetic,Mononeuropathy Simplices, Diabetic,Neuralgias, Diabetic,Neuropathies, Diabetic,Neuropathies, Diabetic Autonomic,Neuropathies, Painful Diabetic,Neuropathy, Diabetic,Neuropathy, Diabetic Autonomic,Neuropathy, Painful Diabetic,Painful Diabetic Neuropathies,Painful Diabetic Neuropathy,Polyneuropathies, Diabetic,Polyneuropathies, Diabetic Asymmetric,Polyneuropathy, Diabetic,Polyneuropathy, Diabetic Asymmetric,Simplex, Diabetic Mononeuropathy,Simplices, Diabetic Mononeuropathy
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000069583 Pregabalin A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative that functions as a CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKER and is used as an ANTICONVULSANT as well as an ANTI-ANXIETY AGENT. It is also used as an ANALGESIC in the treatment of NEUROPATHIC PAIN and FIBROMYALGIA. (R-)-3-isobutyl GABA,(S)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid,(S+)-3-isobutyl GABA,3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid,3-isobutyl GABA,CI 1008,CI-1008,Lyrica,1008, CI,3 isobutyl GABA,CI1008,GABA, 3-isobutyl
D000927 Anticonvulsants Drugs used to prevent SEIZURES or reduce their severity. Anticonvulsant,Anticonvulsant Drug,Anticonvulsive Agent,Anticonvulsive Drug,Antiepileptic,Antiepileptic Agent,Antiepileptic Agents,Antiepileptic Drug,Anticonvulsant Drugs,Anticonvulsive Agents,Anticonvulsive Drugs,Antiepileptic Drugs,Antiepileptics,Agent, Anticonvulsive,Agent, Antiepileptic,Agents, Anticonvulsive,Agents, Antiepileptic,Drug, Anticonvulsant,Drug, Anticonvulsive,Drug, Antiepileptic,Drugs, Anticonvulsant,Drugs, Anticonvulsive,Drugs, Antiepileptic

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