Topical Capsaicin for the Treatment of Sensory Neuropathic Cough

To evaluate a novel treatment for sensory neuropathic cough (SNC): topical capsaicin.

Retrospective review.

Tertiary care laryngology clinic.

A retrospective review was performed on 201 consecutive patients treated for SNC with capsaicin 0.02% to 0.04% applied topically to the upper aerodigestive tract, typically after failure of standard medications. Patients were asked to use the spray 4 times daily for 2 weeks prior to assessment of benefit. Items assessed included the percentage reduction of coughing, type of benefit noted, and side effects.

Of the 201 patients who used the spray, 36.3% noted no benefit, whereas 63.7% (n = 128) had benefit in terms of cough reduction: 30.8% (n = 62) reported ≥75% reduction; 17.4% (n = 35), 50%-74% reduction; 7.0% (n = 14), 25%-49% reduction; and 8.5% (n = 17), 1%-24% reduction. Of all patients, 78.3% reported no side effects or complications. Of the remaining 21.7%, 1 patient noted a nosebleed after a single administration, and 1 patient noted transient wheezing after administration. The others reported unpleasant local effects, including throat/ear discomfort, voice change, sneezing, reflexive vomiting, and headache.

In our group of 201 patients with SNC, most of which had failed to respond to standard treatments, 63.7% had some response to capsaicin spray, with 30.8% reporting ≥75% reduction. Minimal side effects of treatment were reported. Thus, we suggest that this therapy can be another treatment option for patients with SNC.