Reviewed clinical summary · Source-linked · Educational use only
Is Once-Daily Pregabalin Safe and Effective for Diabetic Nerve Pain?
Clinical Bottom Line
Summary: In patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), once-daily prolonged-release (PR) pregabalin significantly improved pain management compared to placebo and was comparable to immediate-release (IR) pregabalin, though it was associated with common side effects like dizziness and somnolence. PICO Description Population Patients…
Summary:
In patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), once-daily prolonged-release (PR) pregabalin significantly improved pain management compared to placebo and was comparable to immediate-release (IR) pregabalin, though it was associated with common side effects like dizziness and somnolence.
PICO
Description
Population
Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy experiencing moderate to severe pain.
Placebo and immediate-release pregabalin (thrice-daily doses of 150–600 mg/day).
Outcome
Pregabalin PR had comparable efficacy to pregabalin IR in managing pain and significantly improved outcomes compared to placebo. Common side effects included dizziness and somnolence.
RCTPain Pract · 2025
Once-daily PR pregabalin for diabetic neuropathy pain
RCT · diabetic peripheral neuropathy · 13 weeks
Trial design
Change from baseline — both arms
Pain score change, PR
-3.43
LSM, FAS
Pain score change, placebo
-3.04
LSM, FAS
PR vs placebo
p=0.0158
superior
PR vs IR difference
0.06
95% CI -0.28, 0.41
⬡ Bottom Line
Once-daily prolonged-release pregabalin cut weekly pain scores more than placebo and was non-inferior to thrice-daily immediate-release pregabalin in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Dizziness and somnolence were the common adverse effects.
P
Population
Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and moderate to severe pain
Placebo and thrice-daily immediate-release pregabalin 150-600 mg/day
O
Outcome
Change in mean weekly pain score from baseline to end of treatment
Source: Shilpi Dhawan, et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily Prolonged-Release Pregabalin for the Treatment of Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active, and Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Read article here.
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