Capsaicin - Clinical Research

Capsaicin - Clinical Research

Capsaicin: The Science Behind the Heat

Derived from chili peppers, capsaicin works by depleting Substance P — a neuropeptide that transmits pain signals — and by de-sensitising pain receptors in the skin.
Modern research supports its topical use for osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal, and neuropathic pain, demonstrating measurable pain reduction and improved mobility with repeated application.

Clinical & Mechanistic Evidence

  1. Efficacy and Safety of Topical Capsaicin in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Pain
    Darlenski R, Fluhr JW, et al. Pain Medicine. 2024.
    Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that capsaicin creams (0.0125 – 5%) significantly reduced osteoarthritis pain versus placebo over 4–12 weeks, with mild transient burning as the most common side effect.
    🔗 Read full study on PubMed

  2. Topical Capsaicin for Pain in Osteoarthritis: A Literature Review
    Deal CL, Schnitzer TJ. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2016;46(1):34-40.
    Comprehensive review concluding that topical capsaicin is a safe and effective adjunct for hand, knee, and hip osteoarthritis, producing clinically relevant pain reductions after continuous use for ≥ 4 weeks.
    🔗 Read full review on PubMed

  3. Systematic Review of Topical Capsaicin for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
    Mason L, Moore RA, Derry S, Edwards JE, McQuay HJ. BMJ. 2004;328(7446):991.
    Pooled analysis of low-concentration (< 1%) creams across musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain showed moderate efficacy over placebo and good tolerability with repeated application.
    🔗 Read full paper on PubMed Central

  4. Is Capsaicin Cream Safe and Effective at Reducing Knee Osteoarthritis Pain?
    Short KM, Long CR. Evidence-Based Practice. 2017;20(2):E21–E22.
    Evidence summary of controlled trials reported small-to-moderate pain relief and functional improvement after 4–6 weeks of capsaicin cream use, with minimal systemic side effects.
    🔗 Read summary on LWW Journals

  5. Topical Capsaicin (Low Concentration) for Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Adults
    Derry S, Moore RA, Gaskell H, McIntyre M, Wiffen PJ. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;(2):CD010111.
    Review of 10 RCTs using 0.025–0.075% creams found modest but statistically significant pain reduction in diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia, confirming its localized desensitizing action.
    🔗 Read full review on PubMed Central

  6. Topical Capsicum Plaster for Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial
    Chrubasik S, Weiser T, Beime B. European Journal of Pain. 2010;14(3):329–334.
    In 320 patients with chronic low back pain, capsaicin-containing plasters significantly outperformed placebo for pain reduction and patient satisfaction over 3 weeks, validating peripheral desensitization as a mechanism of relief.
    🔗 Read full study on ScienceDirect

Back to The Science Behind the Relief