Peripheral Neuropathy

Pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin) are medications that control neuropathic pain through a calcium channel blocking mechanism. Since Korean medicine treatments (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine) operate through completely different mechanisms (improving blood flow, anti-inflammation, and optimizing the neural environment), concurrent treatment is possible in principle. However, because some herbal ingredients may affect liver metabolic enzymes (CYP series) and there is a possibility that the dizziness and sedation side effects of pregabalin may combine with certain herbal medicines, you must inform the Korean medicine doctor of all medications you are taking. The same applies to concomitant use with diabetes medications (such as metformin). Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective In Korean medicine, Western medicine, which focuses on suppressing symptoms, and Korean medicine, which treats the root cause (Qi and blood deficiency and meridian stagnation), have a complementary relationship. In the early stages when pain is severe, a step-by-step strategy can be established: pain relief is provided by pregabalin while the nervous environment is improved through acupuncture and pharmacopuncture; once symptoms stabilize, the dosage of Western medicine is gradually reduced. At Dongjedang, we formulate herbal medicine tailored to your constitution to minimize the burden on the liver after reviewing information on any Western medications you are currently taking. If you are taking any medications, please be sure to bring them or inform us during your first consultation.