Capsaicin
Administration
- Type: Topical analgesic
- Dosage Forms:
- Routes of Administration: Topical
- Common Trade Names:
Adult Dosing
- Apply to affected area TID or QID
Pediatric Dosing
Not approved for pediatric use
Special Populations
Pregnancy Rating
- Category B
Lactation risk
- Unknown if absorbed and excreted in milk. DO NOT apply to nipple!
Renal Dosing
- Not established
Hepatic Dosing
- Not established
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
- Application to broken or infected skin
Adverse Reactions
Serious
Common
- Transient increased pain at application site (dissipates w/ continued use)
- Application site erythema
- Pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Rash, dryness pruritus, edema, exfoliation, skin odor
- Hypertension
- Sinusitis, bronchitis, cough
- Dizziness, Headache
Pharmacology
- Half-life:
- Metabolism:
- Excretion:
Mechanism of Action
- "Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) agonist; topical application causes initial TRPV1 stimulation that may cause pain, followed by pain relief by reduction in TRPV1-expressing nociceptive nerve endings"[1]