What is capsaicin topical?
Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. Capsaicin is used in medicated creams and lotions to relieve muscle or joint pain.
Capsaicin used on the body causes a sensation of heat that activates certain nerve cells. With regular use of capsaicin, this heating effect reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that acts as a pain messenger in the body.
Capsaicin topical is used for temporary relief of muscle or joint pain caused by strains, sprains, arthritis, bruising, or backaches. Capsaicin topical is also used to treat nerve pain (neuralgia) in people who have had herpes zoster, or "shingles.”
Capsaicin topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chili peppers, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to capsaicin topical.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using capsaicin topical if you have any allergies (especially to plants), or if you have a serious medical condition.
It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use capsaicin topical without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether capsaicin topical passes into breast milk. Do not use capsaicin topical without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication on anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Avoid inhaling the odor or dried residue of capsaicin topical. Inhaling capsaicin can cause coughing, sneezing, or watery eyes, and can irritate your throat or lungs.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, nose, genitals, or rectum until the medication has been washed off your hands. Also avoid handling food while the medication is still on your hands.
Avoid exposing treated skin to sunlight, sunlamps, tanning beds, or a hot tub. Capsaicin can cause a burning sensation that may be made worse by heat.
Do not use other medicated skin products, including muscle pain creams or lotions, on areas where you have applied capsaicin, unless your doctor has told you to.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.
Accidental swallowing of capsaicin can cause severe burning in or around the mouth, watery eyes, runny nose, and trouble swallowing or breathing.
Applying too much capsaicin topical to the skin can cause severe burning or redness.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not apply capsaicin more than 4 times in one day, or use extra medicine to make up a missed dose .
A missed dose of capsaicin topical will not cause harm but may make the medication less effective reducing substance P and relieving your pain.
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Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using capsaicin topical and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- severe burning or irritation where the medicine was applied;
- skin redness where the medicine was applied; or
- trouble breathing or swallowing (after accidental inhalation of capsaicin odor or dried residue).
Less serious side effects may include a mild burning sensation that can last for several hours or days, especially after your first use of capsaicin topical.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied capsaicin topical. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Analgesic Balm with Capsaicin, Axsain, Capsicum Oleoresin, Capsin, Castiva Warming, Dolorac, Dr.s Cream, Icy Hot with Capsaicin, Menthac Arthritis Cream with Capsaicin, RT Capsin, Salonpas Pain Patch with Capsaicin, Trixaicin, Trixaicin HP, Zostrix, Zostrix Sports, Zostrix-HP, capsaicin topical, Capzasin Back and Body, Capzasin-HP, Capzasin-HP Arthritis Formula, Capzasin-P, Icy Hot PM, Salonpas Gel-Patch, and Sloan's Liniment
Available Strengths & Dosages
| Route |
Form |
Strength |
| topical |
cream |
0.025% |
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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