Efficacy Analysis of Capsaicin 8% Patch in Neuropathic Peripheral Pain Treatment

Abstract

Background/aims: Several guidelines for neuropathic pain management and various effective drugs are available; however, neuropathic pain remains undertreated. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical capsaicin 8% in peripheral neuropathic pain in a routine clinical setting.

Methods: Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through pain intensity, using numerical pain rating scale at baseline and 7-14 days after each treatment, and using pain treatment area (PTA) assessed immediately before each treatment.

Results: A total of 43 patients with either post-herpetic neuralgia or post-traumatic/post-surgical neuropathic pain were enrolled. The median percentage reduction in numerical pain rating scale score and in PTA was -40.0 (-50.0 to -33.3; 95% CI, bootstrap) and -35.1 (-50.9 to 3.4; 95% CI, bootstrap), respectively. Pain intensity and PTA were equally improved and reduced in both treated conditions.

Conclusion: This study suggests that topical capsaicin 8% reduces peripheral neuropathic pain as well as treatment pain area.

Keywords: Allodynia; Analgesic affect; Capsaicin; Peripheral neuropathic pain.