Comparative efficacy and safety of gabapentin, pregabalin, oxcarbazepine, and duloxetine in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A network meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To conduct a network meta-analysis comparing the safety and efficacy of gabapentin (GBP), pregabalin (PGB), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and duloxetine (DLX) in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study's eligibility criteria includee randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a focus on DPN patients receiving GBP, PGB, DLX, or OXC versus placebo. Noncompliant trials with incomplete information and observational studies were excluded.

RESULTS

Twelve (RCTs) of PGB, 2 of GBP, 3 of DLX, and 1 of OXC met the inclusion criteria. When drugs were compared for efficacy (direct comparison), GBP (Odd's ratio [OR] = 3.208, P < 0.001) was most effective followed by OXC (OR = 2.4, P = 0.0248), DLX (OR = 2.346, P < 0.001), and PGB (OR = 2.161, P < 0.001). When drugs were compared for withdrawal due to adverse drug reaction (ADR) (direct comparison), GBP (OR = 1.3818, P = 0.766) was safest followed by PGB (OR = 2.16, P < 0.001), DLX (OR = 2.469, P < 0.001), and OXC (OR = 4.4967, P = 0.001). Indirect comparison was done for efficacy, DLX was statistically significant than PGB and OXC (DLX vs. PGB, P = 0.03; DLX vs. OXC, P = 0.02). When indirect comparison was done for patient withdrawal due to ADR, OXC was worst (GBP vs. OXC, P = 0.0001; PGB vs. OXC, P = 0.007; DLX vs. OXC, P = 0.015). When drugs were compared for individual ADRs (direct comparison), dizziness was most commonly seen with OXC (OR = 9.6535, P = 1.8425), headache with OXC (OR = 3.8686, P = 0.006), somnolence with PGB (OR = 5.189, P < 0.001), and nausea with DLX (OR = 3.264, P < 0.001). GBP was most effective and safest drug followed by OXC > DLX > PGB for efficacy and PGB > DLX > OXC for safety.

CONCLUSION

In evaluating medications for DPN against placebo, GBP and OXC demonstrated the highest effectiveness while maintaining a favorable safety profile.