NEW FOOT MEDICATION

One of the more ominous complications of diabetes is "diabetic foot disease," a package of difficulties that can include diminished sensation (neuropathy), dry skin, impaired circulation, and very slow healing. Diabetics face heightened risk of infection from undetected, slow-healing foot injuries. At the worst, gangrene can develop, and amputation may become necessary.

The biggest problem, once an infected foot wound or ulcer has been identified, has been to get it to close. In some cases, conventional wound care (pressure relief, debridement, frequent bandage changes, close medical supervision) is insufficient. The search has been to find substances that will stimulate new tissue growth, and get the wound closed.

Research has centered on "growth factors," substances that stimulate the migration of new cells to the wound site. Regranex (becaplermin), by Ortho-McNeil, is one such, and is manufactured using recombinant DNA technology. The gene for human platelet-derived growth factor is inserted into yeast, which then makes the growth factor.

The becaplermin is inserted into a sterile gel, then topically applied to the affected area. When used with a program of good wound care, clinical tests showed measurable improvement in healing of wounds, sufficient to win FDA approval. However, Regranex is best seen as an addition to established procedures of good wound care, rather than a replacement for those steps.

Prevention is still the best medicine! However, if you do experience foot complications, your podiatrist now has a new medication to treat them. Regranex should be available, by prescription only, now.