Any Medication to Improve Diabetic Feet Blood Flow?

Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc, Family Physician

Hi Ray,

This is an important question because numbness in a diabetic foot should never be brushed aside. The first thing I would explain is that numbness does not always mean poor circulation. In many people with diabetes, the main cause is nerve damage, or diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Poor blood flow can be present too, and some people have both problems at the same time.

Numbness Is Often a Nerve Problem

Diabetic neuropathy damages the nerves that carry sensation from the feet. It can cause numbness, tingling, burning, pins-and-needles, or pain. You can read more about these symptoms in our guide to diabetic neuropathy symptoms.

Reduced circulation, or peripheral artery disease, may cause a different pattern: cold feet, weak pulses, slow-healing wounds, color changes, or pain in the calves or legs when walking. Diabetes can increase the risk of both neuropathy and circulation problems.

Is There Medicine to Improve Blood Flow?

If poor circulation is confirmed, treatment usually focuses on the cause and the overall vascular risk. That may include stopping smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, improving diabetes control, a supervised walking program, and medicines recommended by your doctor.

Some medicines can help certain people with leg symptoms from peripheral artery disease, but they do not usually restore feeling if the numbness is caused by nerve damage.

When circulation is severely reduced, a vascular specialist may recommend a procedure such as angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery. Our diabetes and feet page explains why circulation and nerve damage both matter.

What About Medicine for Nerve Symptoms?

Medicines used for diabetic nerve pain may reduce burning, stabbing, tingling, or painful sensitivity, but they usually do not reverse numbness or repair circulation.

Depending on the person, a doctor may consider medicines such as duloxetine, pregabalin, gabapentin, or another option. The choice depends on symptoms, kidney function, age, other medicines, and side effects. See our guide to diabetic nerve pain.

What Helps Protect Numb Diabetic Feet?

When feeling is reduced, prevention becomes especially important because a cut, blister, or burn may not hurt enough to warn you.

• Keep glucose as close to your personal target as safely possible.


• Do not smoke.


• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol well managed.


• Check both feet every day for cuts, redness, blisters, swelling, or color change.


• Wear well-fitting shoes and clean socks.


• See a podiatrist for calluses, corns, nail problems, or deformities.

Our diabetic foot care guide gives practical steps for protecting feet when sensation is reduced.

What Tests May Be Needed?

Your doctor may check foot pulses, skin temperature, sensation with a monofilament, vibration, reflexes, and the shape of the foot. If circulation is a concern, tests such as an ankle-brachial index, toe pressures, Doppler ultrasound, or other vascular testing may be considered.

Blood tests may also help look for other causes or contributors to numbness, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney disease, thyroid problems, or poor glucose control.

Be Careful With Home Remedies

I would avoid heating pads, strong creams, acids, herbal applications, or home wound remedies on a numb diabetic foot unless your clinician specifically recommends them. If you cannot feel temperature or pain normally, a burn or skin injury can become serious before you notice it.

Related Questions

• Can you reverse diabetes foot numbness?


• Is there relief for diabetic foot pain?


• How do you treat foot swelling in diabetes?


• What is the best treatment for a foot sore in diabetes?

Related Resources

• Diabetes and feet


• Diabetic foot care


• Diabetic neuropathy symptoms


• Diabetic foot ulcers


• Diabetes complications

Educational safety note: This answer is for general diabetes education and does not replace personal medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change circulation medicines, nerve medicines, supplements, foot creams, or wound treatments without speaking with your healthcare professional.

Last medically reviewed: August 2026.