Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews
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Diabetes Metab. Res. Rev. · May 2005
ReviewCritical review of oral drug treatments for diabetic neuropathic pain-clinical outcomes based on efficacy and safety data from placebo-controlled and direct comparative studies.
The present review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a selection of oral treatments for the management of painful diabetic neuropathy. A literature review was conducted retrieving placebo-controlled and direct comparative studies with a selection of oral treatments for painful diabetic neuropathy. All studies were analyzed with regard to efficacy and tolerability. ⋯ Validated questionnaires for evaluation of the efficacy and safety should be further developed. Based on the reviewed randomised controlled trials, gabapentin shows good efficacy, a favourable side-effect profile with lack of drug interactions and therefore it may be a first choice treatment in painful diabetic neuropathy, especially in the elderly. However, head to head trials of current treatments are lacking and therefore randomized controlled trials are required to address this issue.