Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet: integrating prescription-strength capsaicin into office procedures.

Capsaicin 8% topical system is used to treat diabetic nerve pain of the feet. This in-office 30 min application can provide lasting relief of pain (for up to 3 months) by targeting the nerves damaged by diabetes. Since capsaicin acts at the site of diabetic nerve pain without being absorbed into the bloodstream, it is unlikely to interfere with other treatments and has few undesirable effects. Discomfort at the application site is the most commonly reported adverse event. Capsaicin 8% topical system must be applied by a healthcare professional and up to four topical systems can be used per treatment. Incorporating the use of capsaicin 8% topical systems into office procedures can help provide relief for patients living with diabetic nerve pain of the feet and may improve treatment compliance.