J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2022 Dec;26(4):177-182. 10.14193/jkfas.2022.26.4.177.

Efficacy and Safety of α-Lipoic Acid and Low Dose Pregabalin Combination in Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

• Park KT
• Lee JK
• Park SJ

• KMID: 2536713
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14193/jkfas.2022.26.4.177

Abstract

Purpose
The efficacy and safety of low-dose pregabalin and alpha lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy were evaluated and analyzed.
Materials and Methods
This study designed a retrospective study that included patients with diabetic neuropathic pain. From 2009 to 2022, 100 patients who suffered from diabetic neuropathic pain were included in this study. The patients were divided into group I (pregabalin 150 mg/day with alpha lipoic acid 600 mg/day) and group II (pregabalin 300 mg/day with alpha lipoic acid 600 mg/day). The visual analogue scale (VAS), medication side effects, and neurometer results were compared.
Results
The mean follow-up period of the above patients was 120.23 weeks in group I and 149.05 weeks in group II. The average VAS score in group I decreased by 3.23 points, and the average VAS score in group II decreased by 2.86 points. Approximately 24.3% of group I had side effects, such as dizziness, sleepiness, and gastrointestinal trouble, while 76.7% of patients in group II had side effects. Sixtyseven patients had a neurometer examination before and after the medication, and there is no statistical difference between the two groups.
Conclusion
The combination of low-dose pregabalin (pregabalin 150 mg/day) and alpha lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy had a similar clinical effect and less frequent medication side effects than regular dose pregabalin (pregabalin 300 mg/day) and alpha lipoic acid. Therefore, low-dose pregabalin (pregabalin 150 mg/day) and alpha lipoic acid should be considered in treating diabetic neuropathy.

Keyword

Pregabalin; Thioctic acid; Neurometer; Diabetic neuropathies

Figure

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  Figure 1 Neuromter CPT/C (Neurotron Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA).

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  Figure 2 Improvement of visual analogue scale (VAS) score and statistical analysis in both two groups. Group I: pregabalin 150 mg/day+alpha lipoic acid 600 mg/day, Group II: pregabalin 300 mg/day+alpha lipoic acid 600 mg/day.

Reference

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