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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
headache medication use
We will track the amount of headache medication used during the study period
Time frame: 1 year
number of patients with treatment related adverse events
patients will be asked to report any adverse reactions or events during the study period.
Time frame: 1 year
headache frequency and severity
Patient 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)
Time frame: 1 year
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