Role of topiramate for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Objective: To review the possible role of topiramate for the treatment of neuropathic pain and, specifically, the pain of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Data Sources: Clinical studies and abstracts were identified by using PubMed (January 1966--October 2003), Ovid (January 1966--December 2003), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (January 1970--December 2003) and by reviewing bibliographies of published studies. Key search terms included pain, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, and topiramate.

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy relieved with use of oral topiramate.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects 5 to 50% of people with diabetes in the United States. It is a progressive disorder that results in a gradual decrease in peripheral sensation and eventually complete loss of sensation. Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are challenging to treat because of intolerable adverse medication effects and the development of tolerance to medical treatment.