Question: What is the most common complication of diabetes in the US?If you've had diabetes for a number of years and you experience the characteristic burning, tingling, or numbness in your feet, legs, or arms, you'll probably guess this right off. Those are symptoms of peripheral neuropathy or diabetic nerve pain, which, according to the FDA affects up to 62% of Americans with diabetes ... making it the most common diabetic complication.
The FDA approved Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) in August, 2004 for the treatment of depression. A month later they approved it for the treatment of pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This month, a study in Diabetes Care asked the question "Does Treatment With Duloxetine for Neuropathic Pain Impact Glycemic Control?" Their answer was yes:
"Duloxetine treatment resulted in modest increases in fasting plasma glucose in short- and long-term studies (0.50 and 0.67 mmol/l, respectively)." [Approximately 0.9 and 12.1 mg/dl respectively]
The increase was modest. If you're taking Cymbalta and it is effective at easing your symptoms, your doctor may decide not to make changes. Although, it's helpful to be aware of the medication's effect on blood glucose.
For the January, 2007 Diabetes Care article:
Does Treatment With Duloxetine for Neuropathic Pain Impact Glycemic Control?
For FDA's press release:
FDA Approves Drug for Neuropathic Pain Associated With Diabetes
For Cymbalta's site:
Cymbalta
