Capsaicin Transdermal Patch

Capsaicin transdermal patch are used to relieve minor pain in muscles and joints caused by arthritis, backaches, muscle strains, bruises, cramps, and sprains. Capsaicin is a substance that is found in chili peppers. It works by affecting nerve cells in the skin that are associated with pain, which results in decreased activity of these nerve cells and a reduced sense of pain.

Capsaicin transdermal patch comes as a patch (Salonpas^® Hot, others) to apply up to 3 or 4 times daily and for no more than 8 hours per application.

Use capsaicin transdermal patches exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often or for a longer period of time than directed by the package instructions.

Apply capsaicin transdermal patches to a clean, dry, hairless area of skin as directed by the package directions. Do not apply capsaicin transdermal patches to skin that is broken, damaged, cut, infected, or covered by a rash. Do not wrap or bandage the treated area.

Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any medicine that may have gotten on them. Do not touch your eyes until you have washed your hands.

Do not let the patches come in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. If the patch does touch your eye or if irritation of your eyes, nose, or mouth occurs, wash the affected area immediately with water. Call a doctor if eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation.

While you are wearing a capsaicin patch, protect the treated area from direct heat such as heating pads, electric blankets, hair dryers, heat lamps, saunas, and hot tubs. You should not swim, shower, or take a bath while you are wearing capsaicin transdermal patches. You should remove the patch at least 1 hour before swimming, showering or taking a bath; do not apply capsaicin patches immediately after showering or taking a bath.

Stop using capsaicin transdermal patches and call your doctor if severe burning occurs or if your pain worsens, improves and then worsens, or lasts longer than 7 days.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before using capsaicin patches,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, stroke or mini-stroke, heart problems, or trouble feeling or sensing touch on the skin.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using capsaicin patches, call your doctor.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Capsaicin patches may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Apply a new patch as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled application, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not apply an extra capsaicin patch to make up for a missed dose.

 Capsaicin transdermal patches may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• burning sensation at the place where the patch was applied
• redness, itching, or small bumps at the place where the patch was applied
• nausea

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• pain, swelling, or blistering at the place where the patch was applied
• cough
• eye irritation or pain
• throat irritation

Capsaicin transdermal patches may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children and pets. Store it at room temperature.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about capsaicin transdermal patch.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

• Coralite ® Capsaicin Heat Patch
• Salonpas Hot® Patch
• SatoHap Cool and Hot® Patch
• Solstice Hot® Patch