Says on tube it can be used for ra. Its made up from peppers and so warms the joints.
Mum gets it on prescription and uses it but not for ra, asked rheumy nurse and he said its no good but was wondering as it says it is good for ra has anyone heard of it or used it?
Written by
Josie2
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Capsaicin cream is a topical painkiller made from peppers ( watch where you touch after applying) as it is a bit like chopping chillies and and touching delicate areas. It can help with the pain if rubbed into a joint. As a nurse we used it a lot in the hospital for patients with arthritic conditions and they all seemed to feel relief with it. But not specifically for RA
I was given it for RA in the early days, but found it no help at all - didn't even feel any heat with it!! Maybe they left the chilli out of mine!
Ally x
Hi Josie2
As with all complementary and alternative supplements they may work for some but not others and it's always best to check with a health professional that they will not interact with any prescribed medications before you try them (as you have done).
I thought you might find it interesting to read the Arthritis Research UK report on complementary and alternative medicines as there is a section specifically on capsaicin gel. In line with what the others have said, the report concludes that capsaicin gel can be effective in reducing pain and tenderness in joints, but would usually be used to treat osteoarthritis. If you follow the link below you can download the full report if you'd like to read more: arthritisresearchuk.org/art...
I hope it does offer you some relief if you do decide to give it a go
It is something that doctors can prescribe, and it does have some definite benefits for some things. As I understand it, it works mostly because of the way it kind of stimulates the superficial nerves in an area, plus the heating effect. For that reason it can end up actually being quite irritating for some people. Its something thats possibly worth a try, though I'd be more tempted to go for an NSAID gel (like ibuprofen gel or voltaren gel) because those have definitely anti-inflammatory properties, so are more likely to help. Both of those can also be bought over the counter or prescribed. In Scotland or Wales (free prescriptions) I'd go for prescribing, but in England, just check with your GP that its OK for you to use and buy at Boots (much cheaper than a prescription).
I was prescribed this before RA diagnosis when it was originally decided I had osteo. I liked the warmth it gave to my joints, but as I needed it on all my fingers and it had to be applied 4 times a day which meant that after application you couldn't wash your hands or do stuff like try and chop veggies, meant that it was a no-no. I found it a nuisance and I do not work, and am not sure how helpful it would be if you were using your hands in a job as opposed to putting the cream on and then sitting with your hands nicely nestled on a cushion for a couple of hours! Like anything, if it works for you it is worth doing and if not, bin in! Good luck, Virge.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.