| Neuropathy
Foot Cream
The following testimonial appeared in the December
1999 issue of Neuropathy News, a patient newsletter.
"My local [compounding pharmacist] has created
a cream to help alleviate the pain of foot neuropathy.
It reduces the burning and sharp, needle-like
pain. All you need is a very thin coat. The directions
call for using it four times a day, but I find
it particularly helpful at night. [The formulation
contains] 2% amitriptyline and 2% baclofen in
a transdermal gel."
"Compounding pharmacists have the unique
training and ability to create medications that
address the individual needs of patients. One
of the most helpful products they use are transdermal
gels that allow for the passage of medication
directly through the tissue into the area of pain.
Many of the medications typically prescribed for
neuropathy patients such as amitriptyline, lidocaine,
mexilitene, ketamine and [gabapentin] can cause
significant side effects when taken orally. Transdermal
gel minimizes systemic side effects and maximizes
local pain relief. Compounding pharmacists have
many resources that offer relief from neuropathic
pain."
In Diabetes Interviews, January 2000, Neil A.
Burrell, DPM, CDE, of Beaumont, Texas, writes
"We have a very high success rate using amitriptyline
and baclofen mixed in a gel component. This compound
is applied to the feet three times per day, and
offers immediate relief... [For] recalcitrant
neuropathic pain, many times we use a combination
of tramadol, gabapentin and amitriptyline."
At our compounding pharmacy, we work together
with physicians and patients to prepare formulations
containing the medications and doses that are
most appropriate to meet each patient's specific
needs. Let us know how we can be of service.
Arginine Transdermal
Diabetes Care, January 2004; 27(1):284-5
Improvement of Temperature and Flow in
Feet of Subjects with Diabetes With Use of a Transdermal
Preparation of L-Arginine - A pilot study
Eric T. Fossel, PHD
Strategic Science and Technologies, Wellesley,
Massachusetts
PubMed PMID: 14694013 No abstract available.
Topical doxepin could be an alternative and relatively
safe treatment in alleviating neuropathic pain
in the diabetic patient, especially when the use
of systemic treatment is contraindicated. In the
following case study, the soles of the patient’s
feet were treated with topical doxepin 5% twice
daily for four weeks. The patient responded dramatically
with loss of the severe burning sensation and
no side effects reported.
Wounds 15(8):272-276, 2003. © 2003
Health Management Publications, Inc.
Burning Feet Due to Diabetic Neuropathy
Amna Al-Muhairi, MD, Tania J. Phillips,
MD, FRCPC
The print version of this article was originally
certified for CME credit. For accreditation details,
contact the publisher. Tanya J. Phillips, MD,
FRCPC, Boston University School of Medicine, Department
of Dermatology, 609 Albany Street, J-106, Boston,
MA 02118; Phone: 617/638-5540, Fax: 617/638-5552 |
