FDA批准NeuroMetrix的共通感来治疗疼痛性糖尿病神经病变

在一生的过程中，大约有一半的糖尿病患者所有的人的发展糖尿病性神经病变，从而影响神经，可引起肢体麻木和疼痛的感觉，特别是在四肢。严格的血糖控制可能放缓，并可能扭转某些个人潜在的神经损伤，但并不适用于所有。Currently there are two primary medications available to treat the pain and numbness of diabetic neuropathy: Eli Lilly’s treatment for pain (also used for depression), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Pfizer’s treatment for epilepsy, Lyrica (pregabalin), and J&J’s chronic pain medication Nucynta ER (tapentadol), which was approved just this past week to treat neuropathy (we will have more on this late-breaking story in the next issue). In early August, the number of treatment options expanded when NeuroMetrix received FDA clearance for its Sensus Pain Management device for the treatment of chronic intractable pain, including painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). The new device treats PDN by noninvasively transmitting painless, low frequency electric impulses through the body, a process known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The device is worn on the calf, works at the press of a single button, and is equipped with a rechargeable battery that should last about two weeks based on the recommended once-daily, hour-long treatment sessions. NeuroMetrix intends to launch Sensus at the end of 2012. The company has not released information on how Sensus will be priced, but we hope that insurance companies and Medicare and Medicaid will reimburse the device. Considering how painful neuropathy can be, we’re very keen for more alternatives to treat this complication, and we look forward to Sensus becoming available as a potential alternative for patients. –aw