#225 Topical Capsaicin for Neuropathic and Osteoarthritis Pain: Maybe not so hot?
CLINICAL QUESTION
What are the benefits and harms of topical capsaicin for neuropathic or osteoarthritis pain?
BOTTOM LINE
Evidence for topical capsaicin in neuropathic pain and hand osteoarthritis is highly inconsistent, with some studies showing clinical benefit (variably defined) for one in 4-7 patients while other studies show no benefit. There is no benefit in knee osteoarthritis. Local adverse effects (burning, stinging) in up to 60% of patients lead to one in 8-9 more stopping therapy.
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EVIDENCE
Neuropathic pain:
- Systematic review [seven Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), 1,600 patients, varied neuropathic pain types], 0.075% topical capsaicin versus placebo, 6-12 weeks:1
- Clinical improvement (variably defined): 42% versus 28% (placebo), not statistically different.
- Adverse events:
- Burning, stinging, or erythema: 63% versus 24% (placebo), Number Needed to Harm (NNH)=3.
- Coughing, sneezing: 9% versus 1% (placebo), NNH=13.
- Withdrawal: 15% versus 3% (placebo), NNH=9.
- Two other systematic reviews, 0.075% capsaicin versus placebo, at 4-8 weeks:2,3
- Benefit:
- Physician-rated “Much Better” (four RCTs, 309 patients):2 73% versus 49%, Number Needed to Treat (NNT)=5.
- ≥50% pain improvement (10 RCTs, 969 patients):3 NNT~7.
- Adverse events:3
- Local reaction: 58% versus 18%, NNH=3.
- Withdrawal: 16% versus 2%, NNH=8.
- Benefit:
- RCT of 33 diabetic neuropathy patients,4 0.025% gel versus placebo:
- Pain score or patients achieving 30% pain reduction: No difference.
- Adverse skin reaction: 15% versus 0% (placebo), NNH=6.
- Two systematic reviews (3-4 RCTs, 301-382 patients, hand osteoarthritis), 0.025%-0.075% topical capsaicin versus placebo at 4-8 weeks:2,5
- Clinical improvement, variably defined:2 45% versus 16%, NNT=4.
- Pain score ~8/100 points lower than placebo.5
- Adverse events not reported.2
- RCT (99 patients, knee osteoarthritis), 0.0125% capsaicin versus placebo over four weeks:6 No improvement.
- Burning or stinging usually receeds after several days of use.7
- 60-gram tube of 0.075% Capsaicin cream costs ~$30 (about 60-day supply based on QID use, depending on area).
- NICE recommends for localized neuropathic pain when oral medications not tolerated8 and as an add-on therapy for knee or hand osteoarthritis pain.9
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