Practice Guideline, December 2021

This guideline updates the 2011 AAN practice guideline on the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy. For patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, clinicians should review all of the available options to reduce pain, including oral, topical, and nonpharmacologic interventions. It is important for clinicians to think about treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy in terms of medication class. If a medication in one class is not working or is causing intolerable side effects, another medication class should be tried instead of another medication in the same class. Clinicians should not use opioids for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Replaces "Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy" (April 2011).

Reaffirmed on February 8, 2025.