Drug Treatment for Diabetic Pain
Drug Treatment for Diabetic Pain
The term for diabetic-associated pain is peripheral neuropathy. This
is a condition of pain and numbness of the nerves in the hands and feet.
Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. More than 3 million
Americans with diabetes experience neuropathic pain. Signs and symptoms
may include tingling or burning sensations, sensitivity to touch,
and muscle weakness. Because sensations may be decreased, persons
with diabetes are advised to check their feet regularly to identify any
minor injuries that could lead to serious infections if the injury is not
noticed.
A variety of types of medications are available for the treatment of
diabetic-associated pain, however not all are approved by the Food and
Drug Administration. Duloxetine (Cymbalta), a selective serotonin and
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor , and pregabalin (Lyrica), an anticonvulsant,
are medications approved specifically for treating diabetic peripheral
neuropathic pain. Other anticonvulsant medications, such as
carbamazepine (Tegretol) and gabapentin (Neurontin) may be prescribed.
Different types of antidepressants also may be prescribed. A lidocaine
patch (Lidoderm), a topical anesthetic, also may be applied to the skin in
the area of most severe pain.