Effectiveness and safety of topical capsaicin cream in the treatment of chronic soft tissue pain

Abstract

. Effectiveness and safety of topical capsaicin cream in the treatment of chronic soft tissue pain. Phytotherapy Research, Wiley, 2010, 24 (12) AbstractTopical capsaicin is an established treatment option for various pain conditions. In a randomised double-blind multi-center study, 281 patients suffering from chronic soft tissue pain were treated either with a cream containing capsaicin 0.05% ("Finalgon® CPD Wärmecreme", n= 140) or placebo (n= 141). Of these, 151 were excluded from the ITT analysis, as they had in addition to their soft-tissue pain, pain of other origin.The primary outcome measure was a positive treatment response, defined as a pain sum score reduction of 30% or more. After 3 weeks of treatment, the median pain sum score had decreased by 49% (capsicum) group and 23% (placebo) (ITT analysis, p=0.0006). The odds ratio of the responders in favour for capsaicin was 4.3 (CI 97.5% lower limit 1.9, p < 0.0001).Improvements in the secondary efficacy measures confirmed the results. Likewise, all outcome measures had significantly more improved in the capsaicin-treated compared to the placebo-treated chronic back pain sufferers. All patients were included in the safety assessments. More adverse events occurred in the capsicum group (n=13) than in the placebo group (n=6). The capsaicin cream was generally well tolerated.Our results indicate that capsaicin cream is useful in patients with chronic soft tissue pain and is also efficacious in patients with chronic back pain for which effectiveness was already demonstrated in earlier clinical trials.

The thermo‐TRP ion channel family: properties and therapeutic implications

“…Many potent agonists are present in natural compounds used for herbal and folk remedies and in culinary flavourings, and are often found in over‐the‐counter analgesic preparations. Examples include the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin, the active ingredient of chilli peppers, which is used in topical creams to stimulate blood flow and thus to relieve mild muscle pain (Hautkappe et al ., 1998; Chrubasik et al ., 2010); the TRPM8 agonist menthol, used as a topical analgesic (Proudfoot et al ., 2006); and agonists of TRPV3, such as camphor, cajuput oil and extracts of oregano, which are used in proprietary topical analgesic preparations.…”

Health-promoting properties of compounds derived from Capsicum sp. A review

“…Synthetic capsaicin (nonivamide) is used extensively in the form of ointment (0.025-0.05%) as a warming agent to alleviate muscular pain as well as associated with arthritis and neuralgia ad hoc, usually 1-2 times a day for no longer than two days. A break before re-application for the same place must be at least 14 days [93,94].…”

Phytotherapie bei chronischen unspezifischen Rückenschmerzen

“…Extrakt aus dem spanischen Pfeffer (Capsaicin) zerstört in der Haut oder in den Gelenken die feinen Nervenendigungen, die den Schmerz weiterleiten. Im Verlauf von 3 Wochen linderte das 3-malige Auftragen einer Capsicum-Creme 0,05% Weichteilrheuma signifikant besser als ein Placebo [17]. Die Behandlungszeit ist auf 3 Monate limitiert.…”