Newer agents for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Neuropathic pain is responsible for a significant amount of the morbidity associated with generalized and focal peripheral neuropathies in diabetes. It is a consequence of alterations in neuronal function, chemistry, and structure that occur secondary to nerve injury. A variety of agents from diverse pharmacologic classes, the so-called adjuvant analgesics, have been used to treat neuropathic pain. These include antidepressants, first- and second-generation anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmic agents, topical agents, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists, and the opioid analgesics. The availability of several newer agents, used alone or in combination, has resulted in the successful alleviation of neuropathic pain in many patients. Recent advances in the understanding of pain mechanisms at multiple central nervous system levels should pave the way toward more effective treatment modalities with less prominent side effects.