Diabetes demands a joint treatment strategy like glycemic monitoring, self-management, education, and adequate support to stop the initiation of acute complications. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) or distal symmetrical polyneuropathy are the expected complications in Type 2 diabetes. Newer anticonvulsants like Gabapentin and Pregabalin have benefitted patients with peripheral neuropathic pain.

A recent study compared the efficacy of Gabapentin and Pregabalin in relieving pain in patients with DPN.

Visual analog scale, daily sleep interference score, patients global as well as clinician’s global impression of change were evaluated.

100 patients were enrolled and randomized into two groups and results were dispersed in demographics and treatment comparison. Participants under the Pregabalin group (contrasting Gabapentin group) demonstrated statistically significant decreased sleep interference and global impression of change than the first visit. 

Thus, Pregabalin is more efficacious than Gabapentin among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with painful peripheral neuropathy as it renders significant improvement in pain relief and other perspectives.

Source: A A, E S. Comparison of the efficacy of Gabapentin versus Pregabalin in patients of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy – A randomized, open label, and parallel group study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. Online First: 28 Mar, 2022. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.03111202219032