Post-herpetic neuralgia and topical capsaicin : PAIN (original) (raw)

Clinical note: PDF Only

Smythe Pain Clinic, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. M5G 2C4 Canada

∗Correspondence to: C. Peter N. Watson, Smythe Pain Clinic, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ont. M5G 2C4, Canada.

(Received 17 November 1987; revised 13 January 1988; accepted 24 January 1988.)

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Abstract

Topical 0.025% capsaicin was used to treat 33 patients with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Thirty-nine percent of those entering the trial achieved at least a good result and 55% were improved or better. Fifty-six percent of the 23 patients completing the study had good or excellent pain relief after 4 weeks. Seventy-eight percent of the 23 noted at least some improvement in pain. Post-capsaicin burning was a common, untoward effect in most patients and in about one-third was so unbearable that the trial was terminated prematurely. This treatment appears to be a useful modality in PHN, particularly in the elderly in whom oral medications are often poorly tolerated; however, it does require supervision. A double-blind, controlled trial is now necessary.