title: Liposomal topical capsaicin in post-herpetic neuralgia: a safety pilot study.
abstract: Topical treatments have gained popularity for general use as an adjunct to systemic drugs in neuropathic pain, but their use produces variable clinical results and local adverse events.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and analgesic effect of a formulation of liposomal capsaicin (LC) (0.025%) in patients with post herpetic neuralgia (PHN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who remained symptomatic after first-and second-line treatment were randomized to receive LC for six weeks in a placebo-controlled, crossover design study. Clinical assessment was performed at baseline, in the second, fourth and sixth week of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients completed both treatment periods. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was significantly decreased after the end of the study (p = 0.008), however the effect of treatment was not significant (p = 0.076). There was no difference on global impression of change and other pain characteristics. LC was safe and well tolerated. However, at the concentration used, its analgesic effects were marginal and not significant.
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Manoel Jacobsen
authors: MJ
authors: Teixeira
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Luciana Mendes Bahia
authors: LM
authors: Menezes
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Valquiria
authors: V
authors: Silva
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Ricardo
authors: R
authors: Galhardoni
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Sasson
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Massako
authors: M
authors: Okada
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Kleber Paiva
authors: KP
authors: Duarte
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Lin T
authors: LT
authors: Yeng
authors: Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Daniel Ciampi de
authors: DC
authors: Andrade
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018689:Sensory System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D018689:Sensory System Agents; D002211:Capsaicin