A recent study compared the efficacy, safety, and dosage pattern of Duloxetine (DLX) and Pregabalin (PGB) in peripheral neuropathy pain in type 2 diabetic patients. It used a low dosage of both drugs to measure the outcomes.

The study randomized the enrolled patients into two equal groups: Pregabalin and duloxetine. It used empty capsules filled with duloxetine, Pregabalin, or starch as a placebo. Initially, the duloxetine group received a placebo capsule once daily as a washout period for ten days. Later, they received a fixed dose of 30 mg/d duloxetine in the first week of treatment and different doses of 30 mg/d to 60 mg/d for the next eleven weeks based on drug efficacy and tolerability. However, the pregabalin group received a placebo capsule twice daily for ten days as a washout period. Later, they received 75 mg/BD for the first week of treatment and 75 mg/Bd to 150 mg/Bd for the next eleven weeks.

The study found 74% ADRs in the duloxetine group while 37% in the pregabalin group. Both groups showed a significant mean difference related to incidents. Some cases showed mild and tolerable adverse reactions; however, severe reactions led to discontinuation of the drug. 19% of cases of the duloxetine group showed treatment discontinuation, while PGB reported only 7% treatment discontinuation.

Thus, despite the equal efficacy of Pregabalin and duloxetine, Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy Pain have better tolerability for Pregabalin than duloxetine.

Source: Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences. 2022(16):6.DOI: https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs22166834