Posted by Bob P (129.65.46.87) on August 14, 2001 at 10:04:35:
In Reply to: But ... posted by Bob P on August 14, 2001 at 09:23:00:
I answered my own question with this article from the OUCH Library pages:
1: Cephalalgia 1993 Apr;13(2):114-6
A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of intranasal capsaicin for cluster
headache.
Marks DR, Rapoport A, Padla D, Weeks R, Rosum R, Sheftell F, Arrowsmith F
Clinical Immunology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 92114.
It has been suggested that treatment of cluster headache (CH) patients with
topical capsaicin may desensitize sensory neurons by depleting the nerve
terminals of substance P. We attempted to determine whether capsaicin is
effective in aborting CH attacks. Patients in acute cluster were randomized to
receive either capsaicin or placebo in the ipsilateral nostril for 7 days.
Patients recorded the severity of each headache for 15 days. Headaches on days
8-15 of the study were significantly less severe in the capsaicin group vs the
placebo group. There was also a significant decrease in headache severity in the
capsaicin group on days 8-15 compared to days 1-7, but not in the placebo group.
Episodic CH patients appeared to benefit more than chronic CH patients. These
results indicate that intranasal capsaicin may provide a new therapeutic option
for the treatment of this disease.
Publication Types:
Clinical trial
Randomized controlled trial
Comments:
Comment in: Cephalalgia 1993 Apr;13(2):73-4
PMID: 8495452, UI: 93265525