Capsicum (African chilies, Ausanil, capsaicin, cayenne, chili pepper, green chili pepper, Louisiana long pepper, Mexican chilies, paprika, pimento, red pepper, tabasco pepper)
Classes: Analgesics, Herbals
Suggested dosing of African chilies, Ausanil (capsicum)
Topical
Apply 0.025%-0.075% TID-QID; minimum 4 weeks
May take up to 14 days for full analgesic effect
Avoid using near eyes or on sensitive skin
Wash hands after applying
Oral
Fruit: 30-120 PO TId
Tincture: 0.6-2 ml/dose PO
Oleoresin: 0.6-2 mg/dose PO
Intranasal
Migraine (Ausanil): Spray 1-2 times into nostriL
Prurigo Nodularis
Apply 0.025%-0.3% topically 4-6 x/day
Suggested uses of African chilies, Ausanil (capsicum)
Post-herpetic pain (shingles)
Circulatory problems (peripheral), clotting disorders, diarrhea, digestion problems, fibromyalgia (topical), heart disease (prevention), neuralgias (topical), neuropathies (topical), pain syndromes (topical), prurigo nodularis
Migraine (intranasal)
Efficacy
Effective for pain relief
African chilies, Ausanil (capsicum) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Bleeding
Local burning sensation
Contact dermatitis
Cough
Flushing
Gastroenteritis
GI irritation
Hepatic damage
Lacrimation
Mucous membrane irritation
Ocular irritation
Renal damage
Rhinorrhea
Sweating
Urticaria (topical use)
Warnings
Contraindications
Damaged skin (topical use), hypersensitivity to peppers, infectious GI conditions (oral use), inflammatory GI conditions (oral use), open wounds (topical use)
Cautions
Concurrent sedative meds
Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth, etc. after topical application until it is washed off
Do not apply external heat after topical capsaicin application
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: N/A
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of African chilies, Ausanil (capsicum)
Mechanism of action
Active constituent, capsaicin, binds to neuronal transient potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TPRV1), depletes substance P; decreases pain perception
