Phase I/II Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Capsaicin for Interstitial Cystitis and Vulvar Vestibulitis

April 30, 2025 updated by: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

OBJECTIVES: I. Estimate the optimal safe dose of intravesical capsaicin in patients with interstitial cystitis.

II. Evaluate the efficacy of 0.025% topical capsaicin in relieving chronic burning pain in patients with vulvar vestibulitis.

III. Evaluate the effect of capsaicin on type C nerve fibers in bladder mucosa and vulvar skin.

IV. Evaluate the effect of C fiber depletion on urinary levels of histamine and prostaglandin.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients with interstitial cystitis are randomly assigned to 1 of 3 pain control therapies.

The first group is treated with capsaicin. A second group is given individually titrated doses of capsaicin: the dose is increased as tolerated or until symptomatic response is acceptable. A control group receives a placebo. Therapy for all groups is administered intravesically every week for 5 weeks.

Patients with vulvar vestibulitis are randomly assigned to 1 of 2 pain control therapies. One group applies topical capsaicin cream to the painful area 4 times a day for 6 weeks. The dose is individually titrated if burning discomfort persists and the patient is compliant with the application schedule. The control group applies a placebo.

Patients with vulvar vestibulitis may continue or cross to capsaicin for 6 additional weeks.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

139

Phase

  • Phase 2
  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Pennsylvania
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15260
        • University of Pittspurgh

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics-- Women with interstitial cystitis by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria Vulvar vestibulitis by International Society for the Study of Vulvar Disease, i.e.: Severe pain on touch or attempted entry of vagina Tenderness to pressure within the vulvar vestibule Vulvar erythema Duration of symptoms at least 6 months Absence of vulvovaginal infection, i.e.: No fungus No trichomonas No chlamydia No gonorrhea No "clue cells" in vaginal discharge

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Drug: Placebo
Experimental: Capsaicin
Drug: capsaicin

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborators

University of Pittsburgh

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Hugh Flood, University of Pittsburgh

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 1, 1995

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2007

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 18, 1999

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 18, 1999

First Posted (Estimated)

October 19, 1999

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 4, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 30, 2025

Last Verified

September 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 199/11835
  • R01DK049524 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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