Formulary
Capsaicin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Capsaicin clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Capsaicin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Capsaicin clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Localised neuropathic pain**
- **Adult** (To The Skin Using Cream): Apply 3-4 times a day, using 0.075% strength; apply sparingly, not more often than every 4 hours.
**Post-herpetic neuralgia**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 3-4 times a day, apply sparingly; important; after lesions have healed, not more often than every 4 hours.
**Painful diabetic neuropathy (under expert supervision)**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 3-4 times a day for 8 weeks then review, apply sparingly, not more often than every 4 hours.
**Peripheral neuropathic pain (under the supervision of a physician)**
- **Adult** (By Transdermal Application Using Patches): (consult product literature).
**Symptomatic relief in osteoarthritis**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply 4 times a day, apply sparingly, not more often than every 4 hours.
Cautions
General cautions: Avoid contact with broken skin; avoid contact with inflamed skin Specific cautions: With topical use Avoid contact with eyes; avoid hot shower or bath just before or after application (burning sensation enhanced); avoid inhalation of vapours; not to be used under tight bandages With transdermal use Avoid contact with the face, scalp or in proximity to mucous membranes; avoid holding near eyes or mucous membranes; diabetes; history of cardiovascular disease; uncontrolled hypertension Cautions, further information Diabetes With transdermal use: Particular attention should be given to diabetic patients with coronary artery disease, hypertension, or cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. M
Side effects
General side-effects: Uncommon Cough Specific side-effects: Common or very common With transdermal use Sensation abnormal Uncommon With transdermal use Atrioventricular block; eye irritation; muscle spasms; nausea; palpitations; peripheral oedema; skin reactions; tachycardia; taste altered; throat irritation Rare or very rare With topical use Sneezing; watering eye Frequency not known With topical use Asthma exacerbated; dyspnoea; skin burning sensation (particularly if too much used or if administered more than 4 times daily); skin irritation
Medicinal forms
Cream,Cream,Patch
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Capsaicin in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

