Is duloxetine
effective for diabetic neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a very common complication in type 2 diabetes. Patients may complain of severe pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in the foot and leg. While better glucose control can reduce other diabetic symptoms, the symptoms of neuropathy often get worse when glucose levels are lowered.
The treatment of diabetic neuropathy is difficult and many therapies exist.
One of the drugs often used by physicians is duloxetine (Cymbalta). This drug is classified as an antidepressant and often used to treat fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes. There are ample anecdotal reports that the drug does work in patients with diabetic neuropathy. About 50% of patients find moderate relief from symptoms. The pain is said to disappear completely in about 70-90% of patients. However, the drug does not get rid of the parenthesis like tingling or numbness- it only seems to get rid of the pain.
However, the drug is very expensive and has disturbing side effects like weight gain and decreased libido.
Peripheral neuropathy is a very common complication in type 2 diabetes. Patients may complain of severe pain, numbness, or tingling sensations in the foot and leg. While better glucose control can reduce other diabetic symptoms, the symptoms of neuropathy often get worse when glucose levels are lowered.
The treatment of diabetic neuropathy is difficult and many therapies exist.
One of the drugs often used by physicians is duloxetine (Cymbalta). This drug is classified as an antidepressant and often used to treat fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes. There are ample anecdotal reports that the drug does work in patients with diabetic neuropathy. About 50% of patients find moderate relief from symptoms. The pain is said to disappear completely in about 70-90% of patients. However, the drug does not get rid of the parenthesis like tingling or numbness- it only seems to get rid of the pain.
However, the drug is very expensive and has disturbing side effects like weight gain and decreased libido.
