--- title: "Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3) —… | Magellan" description: "Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3) — Capsaicin is the pungent alkaloid responsible for the heat of chili peppers (Capsicum…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/213.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/213.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/213.html" type: "product" section: "Topical Pain Relief" evidence_grade: "Moderate evidence" evidence_tier: "moderate" citations: 16 product_id: 213 price_usd: 45.99 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" license: "Educational content — not medical advice" --- # Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3) [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Topical Pain Relief](https://magellanlongevity.com/c/7.md) › Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3) **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/p/213.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/product/213 ## Key facts | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Product | Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3) | | Category | [Topical Pain Relief](https://magellanlongevity.com/c/7.md) | | Evidence grade | Moderate evidence (B) | | Peer-reviewed citations | 16 | | Typical listed price | $45.99 (check the live price) | | Where to buy | [Search Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Capzasin-HP%20Capsaicin%200.1%25%20Pain%20Relief%20Cream%20%28Pack%20of%203%29&tag=magellanlong-20) | | Catalog ID | 213 | ## What it is Capsaicin is the pungent alkaloid responsible for the heat of chili peppers (Capsicum species). Applied to the skin, it binds the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor on sensory nerve fibers, triggering release and then depletion of the pain neurotransmitter substance P and, with repeated use, a reversible 'defunctionalization' or desensitization of pain-signaling nociceptors. Low-concentration topical capsaicin creams (commonly 0.025% to 0.1%) are sold over the counter for temporary relief of minor musculoskeletal and arthritis pain, while a high-concentration 8% patch is applied under medical supervision for neuropathic pain. ## Its role in longevity Randomized trials and meta-analyses show that topical capsaicin produces modest reductions in pain from hand and knee osteoarthritis — a 2024 meta-analysis of 8 trials found a significant advantage over placebo while rating the certainty of the evidence low to very low — and it offers benefit in neuropathic conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia, where the strongest data are for the high-concentration 8% prescription patch. Network analyses place capsaicin behind topical NSAIDs for osteoarthritis, and reviewers suggest it mainly as a short-term option for people who cannot tolerate NSAIDs. Onset is slow (often 1 to 4 weeks of repeated daily application), and burning or stinging at the application site is very common — in the 2024 analysis about one extra user in three experienced it, for a number-needed-to-harm of 3 — though capsaicin avoids the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks of oral NSAIDs. Blinding is difficult because of that characteristic burning, so several reviews rate its efficacy as modest or uncertain. This evidence describes the capsaicin compound and its TRPV1 mechanism generally, not this specific commercial product. ## Evidence grade: Moderate evidence - **What the grade means:** Curated grade based on the human and mechanistic evidence for this compound. - **Dose used in studies:** 0.025–0.1% cream 3–4×/day for at least 1–2 weeks (the 8% patch is prescription-only) - **What this grade does not say:** A burning sensation on application is expected (about 1 extra case per 3 users in trials) and fades with regular use. Evidence is strongest for the prescription 8% patch in nerve pain; OTC creams give modest osteoarthritis relief, and a 2024 meta-analysis rates the certainty as low. Wash hands; keep away from eyes and broken skin. ## In the news - **What Is Capsaicin?** — WebMD 2023 [Read it](https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-capsaicin) > When you put capsaicin on your skin, you help block pain messages to your nerves. - **Is Topical OTC Capsaicin Effective for Osteoarthritis?** — Medscape 2015 [Read it](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/848920) > The net effect is a temporary and modest diminution of pain perception that occurs over a period of 2-4 weeks and persists with repeated application. ## The research Peer-reviewed studies on the active compound. Quotes are verbatim from the cited abstract. Research describes the active mechanism and is not a claim about this specific product. ### Cited studies 1. **Topical capsaicin (high concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults** Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017 · [PMID 28085183](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28085183/) · [DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007393.pub4](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007393.pub4) > High-concentration topical capsaicin used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, HIV-neuropathy, and painful diabetic neuropathy generated more participants with moderate or substantial levels of pain relief than control. 2. **Individual responses to topical ibuprofen gel or capsaicin cream for painful knee osteoarthritis: a series of n-of-1 trials** Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 · [PMID 33197270](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33197270/) · [DOI 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa561](https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keaa561) > Mean pain reduction was 1.2 on ibuprofen and 1.6 on capsaicin... 59% of people displayed a greater response to one treatment over the other. 3. **Capsaicin for osteoarthritis pain.** Prog Drug Res 2014 · [PMID 24941673](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24941673/) · [DOI 10.1007/978-3-0348-0828-6_11](https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0828-6_11) > Capsaicin treatment efficacy (vs. placebo) for change in VAS pain score was moderate, at 0.44 (95% CI 0.25-0.62) over 4 weeks of treatment. 4. **Systematic review of topical capsaicin for the treatment of chronic pain.** BMJ 2004 · [PMID 15033881](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15033881/) · [DOI 10.1136/bmj.38042.506748.EE](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38042.506748.EE) > The relative benefit from topical capsaicin 0.025% or plaster compared with placebo was 1.5 (1.1 to 2.0) and the number needed to treat was 8.1 (4.6 to 34). 5. **The relative efficacy of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and capsaicin in osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.** Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2018 · [PMID 30172837](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30172837/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.joca.2018.08.008](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2018.08.008) > Current evidence indicates that topical NSAIDs and capsaicin in licensed doses may be equally effective for pain relief in OA. 6. **Efficacy of symptomatic control of knee osteoarthritis with 0.0125% of capsaicin versus placebo.** J Med Assoc Thai 2010 · [PMID 20973322](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20973322/) > The respective mean difference of VAS and total WOMAC score in the capsaicin group vs. the placebo group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). 7. **The analgesic efficacy of topical capsaicin is enhanced by glyceryl trinitrate in painful osteoarthritis: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study.** Eur J Pain 2000 · [PMID 11124007](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11124007/) · [DOI 10.1053/eujp.2000.0200](https://doi.org/10.1053/eujp.2000.0200) > The study showed that topical capsaicin and glyceryl trinitrate have an analgesic effect in painful osteoarthritis. 8. **Civamide cream 0.075% in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a 12-week randomized controlled clinical trial with a longterm extension.** J Rheumatol 2011 · [PMID 22089461](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22089461/) · [DOI 10.3899/jrheum.110192](https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.110192) > Significance in favor of civamide cream 0.075% was achieved for the TWA for all 3 co-primary efficacy variables: WOMAC pain (p = 0.009), WOMAC physical function (p < 0.001), and SGE (p = 0.008). 9. **Capsicum pain plaster in chronic non-specific low back pain.** Arzneimittelforschung 2001 · [PMID 11765591](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11765591/) · [DOI 10.1055/s-0031-1300134](https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1300134) > The study unequivocally achieved the target criterion with a rate of responders in the capsicum group of 60.8% against 42.1% in the placebo group (p = 0.0219). 10. **Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.** Lancet Neurol 2015 · [PMID 25575710](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25575710/) · [DOI 10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70251-0](https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422%2814%2970251-0) > a weak recommendation for use and proposal as second line for lidocaine patches, capsaicin high-concentration patches, and tramadol 11. **The Effectiveness and Safety of Topical Capsaicin in Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.** Front Pharmacol 2017 · [PMID 28119613](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28119613/) · [DOI 10.3389/fphar.2016.00538](https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00538) > This demonstrated high efficacy of topical capsaicin application and implies that capsaicin could result in pain reduction. 12. **The efficacy of topical 8% capsaicin patches for the treatment of postsurgical neuropathic pain: a systematic review.** Pain Manag 2024 · [PMID 39589498](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39589498/) · [DOI 10.1080/17581869.2024.2433931](https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2024.2433931) > The random-effects pooled-analysis denotes an overall Cohen's d of 1.09 (95% CI: 0.58-1.56; < 0.001). 13. **Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part I: Osteoarthritis.** Phytother Res 2009 · [PMID 19856319](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19856319/) · [DOI 10.1002/ptr.3007](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3007) > meta-analysis was restricted to data from studies of three HMPs: topical capsaicin, avocado-soybean unsaponifiables, and the Chinese herbal mixture SKI306X showed benefit in the alleviation of osteoarthritic pain. 14. **The Treatment of Topical Drugs for Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Network Meta-Analysis.** Pain Physician 2020 · [PMID 33185370](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33185370/) > Lidocaine, high-concentration capsaicin, and aspirin/diethyl ether (ADE) had a higher possibility of bringing pain relief than placebo. 15. **Efficacy and safety of topical capsaicin in the treatment of osteoarthritis pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.** Phytotherapy research : PTR 2024 · [PMID 38761115](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38761115/) > Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs (n=498) found topical capsaicin superior to placebo for osteoarthritis pain (SMD −0.84) but rated certainty low to very low, with application-site burning common (number-needed-to-harm 3). 16. **Topical capsaicin for pain management: therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of the new high-concentration capsaicin 8% patch.** British journal of anaesthesia 2011 · [PMID 21852280](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21852280/) > Mechanism review explaining how repeated capsaicin application depletes substance P and reversibly 'defunctionalizes' TRPV1-expressing pain fibers, producing localized analgesia with minimal systemic absorption. ## Where to buy [Search Amazon for Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3)](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Capzasin-HP%20Capsaicin%200.1%25%20Pain%20Relief%20Cream%20%28Pack%20of%203%29&tag=magellanlong-20) — affiliate search link. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"ItemPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/213.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/p/213.html","name":"Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3)","description":"Capsaicin is the pungent alkaloid responsible for the heat of chili peppers (Capsicum species). 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Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).