Peripheral diabetic neuropathy treated with amitriptyline and fluphenazine

• Published in: JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association Vol. 238; no. 21; p. 2291
• Main Authors: Davis, J L, Lewis, S B, Gerich, J E, Kaplan, R A, Schultz, T A, Wallin, J D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 21.11.1977
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Amitriptyline - administration & dosage; Amitriptyline - therapeutic use; Diabetic Neuropathies - drug therapy; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fluphenazine - administration & dosage; Fluphenazine - therapeutic use; Humans; Leg - innervation; Male; Middle Aged; Pain - drug therapy; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - drug therapy
• ISSN: 0098-7484
• DOI: 10.1001/jama.1977.03280220059023

The pain of diabetic peripheral neuropathy responds poorly to current modes of treatment. We treated eight patients with this disorder whose pain was refractory to standard regimens but who experienced remarkable pain relief within two to five days after treatment with fluphenazine hydrochloride, amitriptyline hydrochloride, or a combination of the two. In four patients whose regimens were discontinued, pain recurred within two days and again remitted on reinstitution of the drug regimens. These findings suggest that fluphenazine alone or in combination with amitriptyline may be of benefit in treating the painful peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes.