Peripheral diabetic neuropathy treated with amitriptyline and fluphenazine
J. L. Davis, S. B. Lewis, J. E. Gerich, R. A. Kaplan, T. A. Schultz and J. D. Wallin
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.
