Peripheral diabetic neuropathy treated with amitriptyline and fluphenazine.

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.