Commonly used pharmacological treatments for neuropathic pain such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, topical lidocaine, and opioids are limited in use due to its adverse events. Moreover, current evidence reported that less than half of patients get relief from pain. Therefore in the present study, the author revealed that 8% capsaicin showed significant reductions in pain intensity in Scandinavian clinical practice.

Clinical trials illustrate the evidence regarding capsaicin 8% patch safety and efficacy among the patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) but the studies evaluated this therapy in clinical practice is limited. This study assessed whether treatment and re-treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch decrease PNP frequency in clinical practice.

A total of three observational, non-interventional studies were simultaneously led in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. One or two treatments with the capsaicin 8% patch were given to patients with probable or definite PNP as per the usual clinical practice. All examinations were conducted on combined data.

A total of 382 and 181 participants obtained treatment and re-treatment, respectively, with the capsaicin 8% patch. A notable reduction in the mean level of 'usual pain' intensity across the last 24 h' score was seen at the group level from baseline to Weeks 2 to 8 with 28% and 31% of subjects describing a ≥30% decline in pain following first treatment and re-treatment, respectively. At week one and throughout the treatment periods, patients exhibited an improvement in health-related quality of life and overall health status. Most treatment site reactions receded within a week following the treatment. Almost, 57% and 71% of patients after the treatment and re-treatment, respectively, were willing to go through further therapy with the capsaicin 8% patch.

Capsaicin 8% patch approach showed a significant reduction in pain intensity and was well tolerated with above half of cases willing to go through re-treatment.