Treatment of pain due to fibromyalgia with topical capsaicin: A pilot study

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0049-0172(10)80025-3Get rights and content

The efficacy and safety of 0.025% capsaicin cream was evaluated as a treatment for the pain associated with primary fibromyalgia. Forty-five patients received capsaicin cream or vehicle four times daily in this 4-week, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study. Capsaicin-treated patients reported significantly less tenderness in the tender points than patients who received vehicle at week 4 (P = .03). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in the visual analog scale for pain. A significant increase (P = .02) in grip strength was noted at week 2 for the capsaicin-treated patients. The most common adverse effect attributable to capsaicin was transient burning or stinging at the application site. This study suggests that capsaicin cream may be a useful therapy for pain associated with primary fibromyalgia; however, additional confirmatory studies are needed.

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    Supported by GenDerm Corporation, Lincolnshire, IL, and Knoll Pharmaceutical Company, Whippany, NJ.

    1

    Dana Trotter, MD, is currently a Clinical Rheumatologist, Kenosha, WI.

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