The capsaicin 8% patch has been approved by the FDA as the only topical, non-systemic, non-opioid pain therapy to provide prescription strength capsaicin directly into the skin, as broadcasted by privately-owned pharma company on 21st July, 2020.

This patch will be effective for the patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in the feet. The patients with diabetes typically experience nerve pain along with symptoms of tingling, numbness, shooting or stabbing sensations, commonly affecting the lower limbs. Using this patch the physicians can effectively treat neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy differently. This specially articulated patch, delivers prescription strength capsaicin directly to the skin through an in-office procedure. Thus, it can reversibly desensitize and de-functionalize the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 receptor, which plays a significant part in pain signaling.

The patch can provide sustained relief that lasts for up to 3 months with no known drug-drug interactions. Transient and self-limited, application site reactions, like erythema, pain, and pruritus are most common adverse reactions. In 2009, the capsaicin 8% patch was approved in the US for neuropathic pain management linked with postherpetic neuralgia.