FDA APPROVES CAPSAICIN AS TREATMENT FOR DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY OF THE FEET

Capsaicin (8%), a topical, non-systemic, non-opioid pain treatment delivered as an office procedure in the form of a patch placed directly onto the skin, has been approved by the FDA. Its use is for treating neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet in adults but should not be dispensed to patients for self-administration or handling. Capsaicin has no known drug-drug interactions. The most common adverse reactions include application site reactions such as erythema, pain, and pruritus, the majority of which are transient and self-limited. Pain associated with diabetic neuropathy is an extremely challenging condition to diagnose, treat, and manage effectively, having a significant quality of life impact. 

 

DPN affects around 28% of all patients diagnosed with diabetes, and approximately half of those with DPN will experience the debilitating manifestations of painful DPN in their lifetime. In the U.S., one fourth of the health expenditure on diabetes is spent on diabetic peripheral neuropathy and is estimated to be more than $10 billion annually. (Regina Schaffer, Endocrine Today, 7/21/2020) 

 

Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH , Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News