ROLE OF LACOSAMIDE IN DIABETIC NEUROPATHY: AN EXPERIENCE AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Diabetic neuropathy is a devastating complication that diabetic patients are bound to develop due to the long-term effect of this condition on the nerves, resulting in neuropathic pain. This lack results in many current treatments having either low effectiveness or best Side effects that are all altogether intolerable. A new AED that possesses a unique mechanism of stabilizing inactivated Nav1.7 sodium channels is Lacosamide which has also revealed promising results regarding neuropathic pain treatment. Objectives: To assess lacosamide's effectiveness, safety, and tolerability over a six-month period in patients with diabetic neuropathy at a Pakistani tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational research including 120 individuals with diabetic neuropathy was carried out between January and June of 2024. At baseline and during routine follow-ups, pain scores were evaluated, and negative effects were tracked. Results: 78% of patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in neuropathic pain, with lacosamide significantly reducing it by 67%. There was no serious safety issues, and the side effects were minor and temporary. Conclusion: Diabetic neuropathy can be effectively treated with lacosamide, which has few side effects and provides significant pain relief.