B12 as a Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review

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#clinical-trials-as-topic #humans #neuralgia #observational-studies-as-topic #peripheral-nervous-system-diseases

B12 as a Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review

Julian et al., 2020 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Julian Thomas, Syeed Rubiya, ... Zis Panagiotis. B12 as a Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020-Jul-25;12(8). doi:10.3390/nu12082221

Abstract

Neuropathic pain describes a range of unpleasant sensations caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. The sensations caused by neuropathic pain are debilitating and improved treatment regimens are sought in order to improve the quality of life of patients. One proposed treatment for neuropathic pain is vitamin B12, which is thought to alleviate pain by a number of mechanisms including promoting myelination, increasing nerve regeneration and decreasing ectopic nerve firing. In this paper, the evidence for B12 as a drug treatment for neuropathic pain is reviewed. Twenty four published articles were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review in which a range of treatment regimens were evaluated including both B12 monotherapy and B12 in combination with other vitamins or conventional treatments, such as gabapentinoids. Overall, this systematic review demonstrates that there is currently some evidence for the therapeutic effect of B12 in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (level II evidence) and the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy (level III evidence).

Key Findings

Overall, this systematic review demonstrates that there is currently some evidence for the therapeutic effect of B12 in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (level II evidence) and the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy (level III evidence).

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Neuralgia
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin B 12

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09