Capsaicin Cream

Generic Name: Capsaicin Cream 0.025% and 0.075% and Lotion (kap-SAY-uh-sin)
Brand Name: Examples include Capzasin-P and Zostrix

Capsaicin Cream is used for:

Temporary relief of muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis, simple backaches, sprains, strains, and bruises. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Capsaicin Cream is a topical analgesic. Exactly how it works is unknown, but it is thought to decrease the amount of a certain substance (substance P) that transmits pain in the body.

Do NOT use Capsaicin Cream if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Capsaicin Cream

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Capsaicin Cream:

Some medical conditions may interact with Capsaicin Cream. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have an open wound or damaged, broken, or irritated skin

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Capsaicin Cream. Because little, if any, of Capsaicin Cream is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Capsaicin Cream may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Capsaicin Cream:

Use Capsaicin Cream as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Capsaicin Cream comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Capsaicin Cream refilled.
• Apply just enough medicine to cover the affected area. Gently massage the medicine into skin until it disappears.
• Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after using Capsaicin Cream unless your hands are part of the treated area. If soap and water does not remove the medicine, try using dishwashing liquid or cooking oil at room temperature.
• If you are using Capsaicin Cream on your hands, allow 30 minutes for the medicine to absorb before washing. During this time, avoid touching damaged or irritated skin, contact lenses, or your eyes, nose, mouth, or other mucous membranes. Wash hands after 30 minutes.
• Do not apply to wounds or damaged, broken (open), or irritated skin.
• Do not bandage or wrap the affected area.
• Do not use Capsaicin Cream with a heating pad.
• Do not expose the treated area to heat or direct sunlight. Warm or hot water or sunlight may increase the likelihood of burning or itching. Do not use Capsaicin Cream immediately after bathing, swimming, using a hot tub, sunbathing, or exposure to heat.
• If you miss a dose of Capsaicin Cream, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Capsaicin Cream.

Important safety information:

• For external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth. If Capsaicin Cream gets into your eyes, rinse immediately with cool water.
• If used for arthritis, it may take several weeks for Capsaicin Cream to provide relief.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose, use Capsaicin Cream for longer than prescribed, or use large amounts of Capsaicin Cream without checking with your doctor.
• Do not inhale any residue from Capsaicin Cream after it has dried. Coughing, sneezing, or throat or respiratory irritation may occur.
• Capsaicin Cream may be harmful if swallowed. If you may have taken Capsaicin Cream by mouth, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
• If condition worsens, or if symptoms persists for more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days, stop use of this product and contact your health care provider.
• If redness is present or if irritation develops, check with your doctor before using any more of Capsaicin Cream.
• If severe burning or itching occurs, remove product by thoroughly washing the area with soap and cold water. If regular soap and water does not completely wash away Capsaicin Cream, try using dishwashing liquid or cooking oil at room temperature.
• Capsaicin Cream is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 18 years of age without first checking with your doctor. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Capsaicin Cream during pregnancy. It is unknown if Capsaicin Cream is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Capsaicin Cream, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Capsaicin Cream:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Temporary burning or stinging at the application site that usually disappears in a few days.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty breathing or swallowing; irritation, redness, blistering, or severe or persistent burning at the application site.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Capsaicin Cream may be harmful if swallowed.

Proper storage of Capsaicin Cream:

Store Capsaicin Cream at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Close cap tightly after use. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Capsaicin Cream out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Capsaicin Cream, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Capsaicin Cream is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Capsaicin Cream. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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