Abstract
Current therapeutic options for neuropathic pain include antidepressants, antiepileptics, opioids, NMDA-receptor antagonists, and locally administered forms of lidocaine and capsaicin. Capsaicin is a highly selective agonist of vaniloid TRPV1 receptors, and is now available as an 8% dermal patch intended for the therapy of non-diabetic neuropathic pain.
The mechanism of action of capsaicin dermal patch is local, and the drug does not require systemic absorption for its action. There are now several clinical trials available in patients with post-herpetic neuropathy (neuralgia) and HIV-associated neuropathy that have demonstrated significantly higher efficacy of capsaicin dermal patch in comparison to controls.
Most commonly reported undesirable effects were transitory application site burning, pain, erythema and itching that were mild in nature and disappeared several days after application. Capsaicin dermal patch extends our armamentarium of therapeutic options, it is appropriate for both monotherapy and therapy in combination with other anti-neuropathic medications