Capsaicin 8% Patch Effective, Safe for Localized Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

Capsaicin 8% patch has demonstrated efficacy and safety in improving pain, allodynia, and hyperalgesia associated with a wide range of localized peripheral neuropathy types, according to a study to be presented at the 2018 World Congress on Pain in Boston, Massachusetts.

This multicenter observational study included 60 participants (60% women; mean age, 50.9 years) who were given a capsaicin 8% patch to be applied to the upper and lower extremities for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (n=8), postoperative cicatrized pain (n=24), or other localized peripheral neuropathic pain (n=26). The capsaicin patch was used in combination with regular analgesic treatments for localized peripheral neuropathic pain. Average continuous daily pain was assessed with a 0 to 10 visual analog scale.

The most reported adverse events related to treatment was mild pain at the application site, with 43 participants reporting erythema, 27 participants reporting a sensation of burning, and 13 participants experiencing pruritus. The majority of patients (80%) reported adequate to good satisfaction, the remaining reporting poor satisfaction with the patch.

The study researchers conclude that “Repeated treatment [with the capsaicin 8% patch] improved continuous pain relief, hyperalgesia and allodynia in a broad range of localized peripheral neuropathic pain etiologies. Capsaicin 8% patch was well tolerated…[and] is a suitable treatment option for localized peripheral neuropathic pain in monotherapy or combined with other analgesics.”

Reference

Galvez R, Maldonado J, Vela A, et al. Repeated treatment with capsaicin 8% patch in localized peripheral neuropathic pain.Presented at the World Congress on Pain 2018; September 12-16, 2018; Boston, MA. Poster 64478.