Alpha-lipoic acid
Prescription status is set country by country — the label where you live is the one that applies.
Beta: the medication section is still being tested, and its data may contain errors. Do not rely on it for a decision about your own treatment.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a sulphur-containing compound the body also makes in small amounts, where it acts as a cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes and as an antioxidant that can regenerate other antioxidants. In Czechia the medicines regulator SÚKL registers it as a prescription medicine for diabetic polyneuropathy, while lower-dose forms reach people through the food supplement route; it is taken mainly for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and as general liver support. It is not a treatment for the underlying cause of nerve damage.
A usual adult range, not a national label — the dose and the timing differ by country and by product.
Approved uses differ by country — some of these may be off-label or unapproved where you live.
Absorption drops when it is taken alongside a meal, so it is usually taken on an empty stomach in the morning. It has a mild glucose-lowering effect of its own, which is why it is listed as interacting with metformin and with insulin glargine: combined with either, blood sugar can fall further than expected. Glucose and HbA1c are the values worth watching while it is used, particularly in the first weeks or after any change in diabetes treatment.
Sweating, shakiness, confusion or faintness suggest blood sugar has dropped too low and should be discussed with a doctor rather than managed by adjusting prescribed diabetes medication alone. A rash, or neuropathy symptoms that worsen instead of easing, also warrant a review.
Reference information, not medical advice. Discuss any change with your doctor.