• Indications
  1. Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g. Postherpetic Neuralgia, Diabetic Neuropathy)
  2. Muscle pain or Joint Pain
  3. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (off label)
  • Mechanism
  1. Capsaicin is derived from chili peppers (genus Capsicum) such as jalapeno peppers
  2. Capsaicin is a Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) Agonist
    1. TRPV1 activates cation channels on pain nerve fibers (nociceptive fibers)
    2. Nociceptive nerves depolarize, transmitting pain signal to the spinal cord
  3. Capsaicin depletes Substance P from pain fibers, desensitizing nerves and preventing pain transmission
    1. Requires frequent and repeat applications for effect
    2. Inconsistent use is not effective
  • Dose
  • Capsaicin Cream (OTC)
  1. Neuropathic pain
    1. Apply Capsaicin cream as a thin film (0.025% to 0.075%) to affected area 3-4 times daily
  2. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (off label)
    1. Apply Capsaicin cream as a thin film (0.075%) to 15 x 25 cm periumbilical area every 4 hours until symptoms resolve
  • Dose
  • Capsaicin Patch (high dose - 8%)
  1. Applied in office
  2. Pre-treat area by applying 4% Lidocaine cream for 60 minutes
  3. Check area for Anesthesia following application
  4. Apply Capsaicin 8% cream with gloves and leave on for 60 minutes
  5. Wash off after 1 hour
  • Adverse effects
  1. Local Irritation
    1. Erythema (63%)
    2. Burning Sensation (42%)
      1. Most significant on initial application
    3. Less commonly, Pruritus, edema and local swelling
  2. Increased pain for up to first week of application
  • Precautions
  1. Wash hands thoroughly after Capsaicin application
  • Resources
  1. Capsaicin (PubChem)
    1. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Capsaicin
  • References
  1. Chang and Quick (2019) Stat Pearls
    1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459168/
  2. Fattori (2016) Molecules 21(7): 844 +PMID:27367653 [PubMed]
    1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6273101/