Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) accounts for 25% of type II diabetes mellitus. It impacts diabetes-related morbidity and worsens the quality of life. PDPN can be managed by Both Pregabalin and duloxetine. 

The present study compared the efficacy of duloxetine and Pregabalin in patients with PDPN.

The study included patients of diabetes mellitus type II diagnosed with PDPN, and randomized them to receive 60 mg/daily duloxetine or 300 mg/daily Pregabalin. It recorded the Pain scores using a visual analogue scale (VAS) on day 0, week 4, and week 12. 

The study found a reduction in the mean VAS score in both groups after 12 weeks of therapy. At 12 weeks, duloxetine showed lower VAS scores than Pregabalin. 17.9% of the participants experienced Adverse events. The pregabalin group commonly reported Lethargy/somnolence (8.1%) and peripheral edema (3.4%), while the duloxetine group commonly reported constipation (6.9%) and orthostatic hypotension (4.6%).

This study shows that both Duloxetine and Pregabalin are efficacious in the relief of neuropathic pain, and both have a promising safety profile and are well-tolerated.

Shahid W, Kumar R, Shaikh A, et al. Comparison of the Efficacy of Duloxetine and Pregabalin in Pain Relief Associated with Diabetic Neuropathy.