FDA Committee Rejects Capsaicin Patch for HIV Neuropathy Pain

An advisory committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week unanimously voted against approval of a capsaicin patch for relief of HIV-related neuropathy pain, due to insufficient evidence of its effectiveness.

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FDA Pain Patch Decision: Making a 'Sophie's Choice' with People's Lives

At the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory hearing on Thursday, February 9, a panel of scientists and clinicians voted unanimously not to recommend approval of the Qutenza capsaicin patch for HIV neuropathy pain, based on data from 2 clinical trials. As the sole patient representative on the panel, it was an incredibly demoralizing experience.

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IDSA: Capsaicin Patch Reduces Pain Due to HIV-Associated Neuropathy

A patch containing 8% capsaicin -- a compound derived from chili peppers -- significantly relieved the pain of nerve damage related to HIV or its treatment, investigators reported at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA 2011) last month in Boston.

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Elevated Triglyceride Level Increases Likelihood of Peripheral Neuropathy

HIV positive people with higher blood triglyceride levels are more likely to develop peripheral sensory neuropathy, or nerve damage, according to a study described in the January 14, 2011 issue of AIDS. Investigators suggested that the relationship might be due to changes in mitochondria function associated with elevated triglycerides.

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Peripheral Neuropathy Still Common, Capsaicin Patch Can Help

Nerve damage in the feet remains common among people with HIV in the ART era, though is often asymptomatic. A patch containing capsaicin -- derived from hot peppers -- relieved pain in people with HIV-associated neuropathy, researchers reported at a recent pain conference.

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