Epalrestat is a medication used to manage diabetic neuropathy, a nerve damage complication that arises from diabetes mellitus . It belongs to a drug class called aldose reductase inhibitors.
Here's how Eplerstat works:
- High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) are a hallmark of diabetes. In the presence of excess glucose, an enzyme called aldose reductase gets overactive.
- Aldose reductase is part of the polyol pathway, which is a series of chemical reactions within cells. When this enzyme is overactive, it converts excess glucose into an alcohol called sorbitol.
- Sorbitol accumulates inside nerve cells in diabetic patients, causing cellular damage and leading to diabetic neuropathy symptoms like pain, burning, tingling, and numbness.
Epalrestat works by inhibiting aldose reductase, thereby preventing excessive sorbitol production and protecting nerves from damage. This helps in managing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
Epalrestat is generally well-tolerated. However, some common side effects include nausea and vomiting. It's important to note that Epalrestat is a prescription medication and should only be taken under a doctor's supervision.