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Capsaicin

Capsaicin Side Effects

Sarah Lobello Pearson, PharmDAllison Gourley, PharmD
Reviewed by Sarah Lobello Pearson, PharmD, Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 12, 2023

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Burning sensation
  • Itching

Less Common Side Effects

  • Rash
  • Skin irritation
  • Skin redness

Capsaicin serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serious skin burns: pain, swelling, blistering of the skin

Source: DailyMed

The following Capsaicin side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common - all forms

Burning, itching, dryness, pain, redness, swelling, or soreness at the application site

Less common - all forms

Body aches or pain

chills

cough

difficulty with breathing

dry or productive cough

ear congestion

fever

headache

loss of voice

sneezing

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

tightness in the chest

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common - patch only

Blurred vision

breakdown of the skin

dizziness

nervousness

pain in the arms or legs

pounding in the ears

slow or fast heartbeat

Incidence not known - patch only

Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

eye irritation or pain

increased sensitivity to pain or touch

scarring of the skin

stabbing pain

throat irritation

unusual weight gain or loss

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common - patch only

Muscle aches

nausea

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

vomiting

Incidence not known - patch only

Abnormal skin odor

change in or loss of taste

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Why trust our experts?

Sarah Pearson is a practicing pharmacist with over 10 years of experience in the field. She received her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA.
Allison Gourley, PharmD, is a kidney and pancreas transplant pharmacist at a teaching hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she’s not educating patients about their immunosuppressants, she's actively involved in transplant research.

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