Positive results in study of Metanx (PamLab) for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

A new multicenter study suggests that nutritional management of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) with Metanx, (L-methylfolate, methylcobalamin, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate), from PamLab, improves total symptoms and health-related quality of life. Two hundred fourteen patients with Type 2 DPN were randomized to receive either Metanx or identical placebo for 6 months. The Neuropathy Disability Score with Metanx demonstrated greater improvement than placebo at 16 weeks, as was the Neuropathy Total Symptom Score-6 (NTSS-6), which showed greater improvement at 16 and 24 weeks in the Metanx group than the placebo group.

Significant improvement in quality of life was also observed with Metanx in the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Mental Component subscale after 24 weeks compared to placebo. There were no differences in total adverse events with Metanx versus placebo. Adverse events were infrequent, with each event that was reported occurring in less than 2% of all subjects. The research was conducted by Vivian A. Fonseca, M.D. Tullis-Tulane Alumni Chair in Diabetes, Professor of Medicine and Chief, Section of Endocrinology at Tulane University School of Medicine. Data is published in The American Journal of Medicine. See: "Metanx in type 2 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy: a randomized trial." Fonseca VA et al. Am J Med. 2013 Feb;126(2):141-9. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.06.022. Epub 2012 Dec 5.