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Capsaicin in Treatment of Rhinogenic Headache

The Role of Topical Capsaicin in Treatment of Rhinogenic Headache

Status
Withdrawn
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03330639
Enrollment
0
Registered
2017-11-06
Start date
2020-06-23
Completion date
2020-06-23
Last updated
2024-09-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Headache Disorders

Brief summary

Description: Capsaicin (8- methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) has been demonstrated to have a therapeutic effect in idiopathic rhinitis. We hypothesize that capsaicin has a therapeutic effect on rhinogenic headaches, in addition to the previously studied decongestive effects. This study aims to evaluate capsaicin impact on headaches attributed to V1, V2 distribution of the sinonasal cavity. This study is a randomized, double-blinded, parallel trial.

Detailed description

1. Title: The role of capsaicin in treatment of rhinogenic headache 2. Description: Capsaicin (8- methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) has been demonstrated to have a therapeutic effect in idiopathic rhinitis, migraines and cluster headaches. We hypothesize that capsaicin has a therapeutic effect on rhinogenic headaches as well. This study aims to evaluate capsaicin impact on headaches attributed to the nose and paranasal sinus distribution. 3. Interventions, evaluations, and follow-up: Subjects are recruited from an Otolaryngology clinic, where a formal headache questionnaire is administered in-office, and standard endoscopy is performed in office to rule out confounding causes of headache and sinonasal disease. Written instructions are provided and consent obtained. A symptom journal is provided. Subjects are randomly selected to receive two bottles of either eucalyptol spray (placebo) or sinus buster (capsaicin) spray and are blinded to the content of the spray bottle. They are instructed to use the nasal spray one to two times daily. Subjects are permitted to continue to take headache medication as needed, but it must be recorded in their symptom journal. The journal is completed daily, and includes medication use, a headache pain score, and side effect log. Additionally, subjects fill out SinoNasal Outcome test (SNOT)22 at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Weekly emails are sent to remind subject to fill out their journal. A phone call is made to the subject to survey them on progress at 2 and 6 weeks. Follow up visits are scheduled at 4 weeks and 8 weeks, or sooner if problems arise. A standard nasal endoscopy is performed at the first and last visit. 4. Additional data that would be tracked: Quality of life score as measured by SNOT-22 scores, treatment failure and drop-outs, and objective changes in sinus endoscopy.

Interventions

OTHERCapsaicin

Capsaicin is a homeopathic medication and there for this drug is not subject to the requirements of the FDA.

OTHERPlacebo

This group will receive the saline placebo solution.

Sponsors

University of Nebraska
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Intervention model description

Randomized parallel group

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Consenting Adults aged 19-100 presenting to the Otolaryngology DepartmentofUniversityof Nebraska Medical center complaining of headaches/ facial pain and pressure Diagnosis of a primary rhinogenic headache disorder by the senior authors.

Exclusion criteria

*

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
headache medication use1 yearWe will track the amount of headache medication used during the study period

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
number of patients with treatment related adverse events1 yearpatients will be asked to report any adverse reactions or events during the study period.
headache frequency and severity1 yearPatient will be asked to record the number of headaches during the study period, and record the severity from 1-10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026