Supplement Forms/Alternate Names:

  • Capsicum
  • Cayenne

Introduction

Capsaicin refers to the active ingredient in chili peppers. It can be taken by eating peppers and spices like cayenne, chili powder, or paprika. Capsaicin has been used to help promote weight loss and ease pain. It can be taken as a pill, powder, or extract. Capsaicin can also be applied to the skin as a gel, cream, or patch. It has been used to relieve pain in muscles and joints.

Dosages

There are no advised doses for capsaicin.

What Research Shows

Likely Effective

  • Burning mouth syndrome—likely to ease pain A1-A4
  • Obesity —likely to help burn fat and increase energy J1, J2

May Be Effective

  • Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome—may ease symptoms B1, B2
  • HIV —may provide short-term pain relief F1-F3
  • Inflammatory arthritis—may ease pain G1, G2
  • Low back pain —may ease pain when applied to the lower back H1-H3
  • Neuropathic pain—may ease pain when applied to the skin I1-I6
  • Post-herpetic neuralgia —may ease pain M1, M2
  • Prurigo nodularis—may have a beneficial effect N1
  • Stuffy nose—may relieve symptoms Q1

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to use capsaicin on the skin and to take it orally in small doses for a short time, but a burning sensation is possible. Excessive doses may be unsafe. P1 Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take capsaicin orally.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:

  • People taking blood thinners should talk to their doctor before taking capsaicin. It may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.

References

REFA Burning Mouth Syndrome

REFA1 Kisely S, Forbes M, et al. A systematic review of randomized trials for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 2016 Jul;86:39-46.

REFA2 McMillan R, Forssell H, et al. Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Nov 18;11:CD002779.

REFA3 Häggman-Henrikson B, Alstergren P, et al. Pharmacological treatment of oro-facial pain – health technology assessment including a systematic review with network meta-analysis. J Oral Rehabil. 2017;44(10):800-826.

REFA4 Liu YF, Kim Y, et al. Burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review of treatments. Oral Dis. 2018 Apr;24(3):325-334.

REFB Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

REFB1 Sorensen CJ, DeSanto K, et al. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Treatment-a Systematic Review. J Med Toxicol. 2017 Mar;13(1):71-87.

REFB2 Richards JR, Gordon BK, et al. Pharmacologic Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Pharmacotherapy. 2017 Jun;37(6):725-734.

REFC Chronic Pain After Surgery

REFC1 Wylde V, Dennis J, et al. Systematic review of management of chronic pain after surgery. Br J Surg. 2017 Sep;104(10):1293-1306.

REFD Diabetic Neuropathy

REFD1 Griebeler ML, Morey-Vargas OL, et al. Pharmacologic interventions for painful diabetic neuropathy: An umbrella systematic review and comparative effectiveness network meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Nov 4;161(9):639-649.

REFE Fibromyalgia

REFE1 Perry R, Leach V, et al. An overview of systematic reviews of complementary and alternative therapies for fibromyalgia using both AMSTAR and ROBIS as quality assessment tools. Syst Rev. 2017 May 15;6(1):97.

REFF HIV

REFF1 Phillips TJ, Cherry CL, et al. Pharmacological treatment of painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PLoS One. 2010 Dec 28;5(12):e14433.

REFF2 Mou J, Paillard F, et al. Efficacy of Qutenza® (capsaicin) 8% patch for neuropathic pain: a meta-analysis of the Qutenza Clinical Trials Database. Pain. 2013 Sep;154(9):1632-1639.

REFF3 Merlin JS, Bulls HW, et al. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for chronic pain in individuals with HIV: a systematic review. AIDS Care. 2016 Dec;28(12):1506-1515. Epub 2016 Jun 7.

REFG Inflammatory Arthritis

REFG1 Richards BL, Whittle SL, et al. Neuromodulators for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Jan 18;1:CD008921.

REFG2 Richards BL, Whittle SL, et al. Efficacy and safety of neuromodulators in inflammatory arthritis: a Cochrane systematic review. J Rheumatol Suppl. 2012 Sep;90:28-33.

REFH Low Back Pain

REFH1 Oltean H, Robbins, C, et al. Herbal medicine for low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;1.

REFH2 Abdel Shaheed C, Maher CG, et al. Interventions available over the counter and advice for acute low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain. 2014 Jan;15(1):2-15.

REFH3 Gagnier JJ, Oltean H, et al. Herbal Medicine for Low Back Pain: A Cochrane Review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Jan;41(2):116-133.

REFI Neuropathic Pain

REFI1 Derry S, Moore RA. Topical capsaicin (low concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;(9):CD010111.

REFI2 Derry S, Sven-Rice A, et al. Topical capsaicin (high concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Feb 28;(2):CD007393.

REFI3 Mou J, Paillard F, et al. Efficacy of Qutenza® (capsaicin) 8% patch for neuropathic pain: a meta-analysis of the Qutenza Clinical Trials Database. Pain. 2013 Sep;154(9):1632-1639.

REFI4 Finnerup NB, Attal N, et al. Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol. 2015 Feb;14(2):162-173.

REFI5 Derry S, Rice AS, et al. Topical capsaicin (high concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD007393.

REFI6 van Nooten F, Treur M, et al. Capsaicin 8% Patch Versus Oral Neuropathic Pain Medications for the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Literature Review and Network Meta-analysis. Clin Ther. 2017 Apr;39(4):787-803.e18.

REFJ Obesity

REFJ1 Whiting S, Derbyshire EJ, et al. Could capsaicinoids help to support weight management? A systematic review and meta-analysis of energy intake data. Appetite. 2014 Feb;73:183-8.

REFJ2 Zsiborás C, Mátics R, et al. Capsaicin and capsiate could be appropriate agents for treatment of obesity” A meta-analysis of human studies. Crit Rev Food Sci Nitr. 2018;58(9):1419-1427.

REFK Osteoarthritis

REFK1 Kosuwon W, Sirichitiwapee W, et al. Efficacy of symptomatic control of knee osteoarthritis with 0.0125% of capsaicin versus placebo. J Med Assoc Thai. 2010;93(10):1188-1195.

REFK2 De Silva V, El-Metwally A, et al. Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2011 May;50(5):911-920.

REFK3 Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 May 31;(5):CD010538.

REFL Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome

REFL1 Larsson IM, Ahm Sørensen J, et al. The Post-mastectomy Pain Syndrome-A Systematic Review of the Treatment Modalities. Breast J. 2017 May;23(3):338-343.

REFM Postherpatic Neuralgia

REFM1 Irving G, Backonja M, et al. NGX-4010, a capsaicin 8% dermal patch, administered alone or in combination with systemic neuropathic pain medications, reduces pain in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. Clin J Pain. 2012 Feb;28(2):101-107.

REFM2 Derry S, Wiffen PJ, et al. Topical analgesics for acute and chronic pain in adults - an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 May 12;5:CD008609.

REFN Prurigo Nodularis

REFN1 Qureshi AA, Abate LE, et al. A systematic review of evidence-based treatments for prurigo nodularis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Mar;80(3):756-764.

REFO Psoriasis

REFO1 Farahnik B, Sharma D, et al. Topical Botanical Agents for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Systematic Review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Aug;18(4):451-468.

REFP Safety

REFP1 Pabalan N, Jarjanazi H, et al. The impact of capsaicin intake on risk of developing gastric cancers: a meta-analysis. J Gastrointest Cancer. 2014 Sep;45(3):334-341.

REFQ Stuffy Nose

REFQ1 Gevorgyan A, Segboer C, et al. Capsaicin for non-allergic rhinitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;7:CD010591.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Review Date: 02/2020
  • Update Date: 06/17/2020