Work

First line symptomatic therapy for painful diabetic neuropathy: A tricyclic antidepressant or gabapentin?

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: Diabetes is a high prevalence disease leading among others to painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) were considered as first line therapy for symptomatic pain therapy. While their efficacy is reasonably well established, their adverse drug reaction (ADR) profile limits their usefulness. Third generation antidepressants like venlafaxine could overcome these limitations but data concerning their efficacy are limited. Among clinicians a new therapeutic trend is occurring: gabapentin, a drug initially marketed as an antiepileptic, is becoming increasingly popular as the first line therapy for PDN. Gabapentin is a ligand for the alpha2/delta modulatory subunit of calcium channels, thus decreasing intracellular calcium availability. Initial data on the effectiveness of gabapentin in PDN indicates an efficacy comparable with secondary amine TCAs. The reason for gabapentin’s popularity is the benign ADR profile and the lack of relevant drug-drug or drug-food interactions.

Source: International Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism

DOI: 10.1159/000497546

Authors: Georg Petroianu G., Andrea Schmitt A.

Institutions: United Arab Emirates University, Central Institute of Mental Health

Language: English

Topic: Pain Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Physiology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4401910895

FWCI:

Cites: 58

Cited by: 3

Related to: 10