Topical medications — like lidocaine (Lidoderm) or capsaicin — are sometimes recommended for mild symptoms and small areas of pain. These options are applied to the skin and can be combined with oral pills. The capsaicin 8% patch, also known as Qutenza, is FDA-approved to treat diabetic nerve pain in your feet.

If you have pain, a healthcare provider may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate nerve pain, such as Neurontin (gabapentin) or certain antidepressants like Elavil (amitriptyline). Controlling blood sugar levels and caring for your feet are important ways to prevent foot problems from diabetes.

The first-line treatment for diabetic neuropathy, especially in cases of pain, is usually the anticonvulsants (anti-seizure drugs) Pregabalin (Lyrica) or gabapentin (Neurontin), which are known to help with nerve pain.

Pregabalin and duloxetine are the only medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating this disorder. Based on current practice guidelines, these medications, with gabapentin and amitriptyline, should be considered for the initial treatment.