End Fatigue

Lipoic Acid for Diabetic Neuropathy

In this study, 443 diabetic subjects with chronic, painful neuropathy, were switched from their treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (600 mg/once a day for an average of 5 years) to the drug, gabapentin (Neurontin) or other pain medications. This switch resulted in many more side effects and less effective pain relief! Among the group left untreated, 73% developed neuropathic symptoms 2 weeks after stopping alpha-lipoic acid treatment, suggesting that diabetics should take 600 mg a day of Lipoic acid as part of their long term supplementation. The authors point out that, "the daily costs for alpha-lipoic acid were considerably lower than those for gabapentin or several frequently used drug combinations." The authors conclude that daily treatment with alpha-lipoic acid, "…represents for the practicing diabetologist an effective, safe, and cost-effective treatment option for the majority of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy."

Reference:

"Switching from pathogenetic treatment with alpha-lipoic acid to gabapentin and other analgesics in painful diabetic neuropathy: a real-world study in outpatients," Ruessmann HJ, et al, J Diabetes Complications, 2008 April 8; [Epub ahead of print]