OTC Neuropathy Remedy

At its most painful, neuropathy has been described as walking on broken glass with the glass inside your feet. Fortunately, most over-the-counter treatments for neuropathy can be found in the average medicine cabinet, though they do not heal damaged nerves. Such drugs merely alleviate the symptoms, including stabbing pains and burning. Only certain vitamins and maintaining normal blood glucose levels will prevent further problems and possibly reverse some of the damage.

Household Medicines

• Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, can reduce pain in the early stages of neuropathy, when the pain is still infrequent and mild. As pain worsens, it may be necessary to switch to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).

  A vitamin B deficiency is another cause of neuropathy. Two specific vitamins offer relief. High doses of a vitamin B1 derivative called benfotiamine turn glucose into harmless chemicals that do not damage nerve cells. The body retains benfotiamine better than it does another version of B1, thiamine.

  Methyl B12, a specific form of vitamin B12, halts nerve degeneration and has been known to decrease, and sometimes eliminate, the pain from neuropathy. Benfotiamine and methyl B12 are often sold as part of the same supplement.

For Severe Neuropathy

• Capsaicin topical gels can be applied as a thin layer to the affected area three to four times a day. It stops neurotransmitters from signaling pain, thus masking the symptoms of neuropathy. Do not apply capsaicin gels, marketed under such brand names as Zostrix, Axsain, Capsin, and Trixaicin, near open wounds or ulcers, or on burned, damaged or irritated skin. Wash hands immediately after applying, unless treating peripheral neuropathy in the hands. Then let it soak in for 30 minutes before washing off, but keep hands away from your mouth and do not eat. Also, do not put heating pads or other heat sources on the area after using capsaicin, and do not use if allergic to hot peppers.

  The lidocaine patch works as a local anesthesia, blocking pain signals from being sent to nerve endings. The patch should be changed every 12 hours.

  The Food and Drug Administration has removed one over-the-counter neuropathy treatment from the market, restricting it to prescription only. Ketoprofen, formerly available in 12.5 milligram tablets, has been pulled due to gastrointestinal bleeding and other complications. It is still available under a doctor's supervision under the brand names Actron, Orudis KT, and Oruvail.