Axsain

Axsain is part of the drug classes:

• Capsaicin and similar agents

• Other local anesthetics

For all patients taking Axsain (capsaicin in lidocaine cream):

• If you have an allergy to capsaicin, local anesthetics, or any other part of this medicine.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If your skin is damaged or has open wounds. Do not put on damaged skin or open wounds.

Children:

• If your child is younger than 10 years of age. Do not give Axsain to a child younger than 10 years of age.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Axsain with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Use care when using on a large part of the skin. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin.
• Do not use heat or bandages on the treated part.
• Do not use right before or after a bath, shower, or heavy exercise.
• Avoid use of heat sources (such as sunlamps, tanning beds, heating pads, electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated waterbeds). Avoid long, hot baths or sunbathing. Your temperature may rise and cause too much drug to pass into your body.
• Do not breathe in Axsain after it has dried. May cause nose or throat irritation.
• Take this medicine off of the skin if very bad burning or itching happens.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Axsain while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Do not take Axsain by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Do not put on the genitals.
• Put a thin layer on the affected skin and rub in gently.
• Put on by using the pads that come with this medicine. Throw away pad after use.
• Wash hands after use.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth, genitals, irritated skin, or contact lenses after you use Axsain. Some drug may stay on your hand even after washing.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Put on a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not put on 2 doses or extra doses.

Applies to capsaicin topical: topical cream, topical film, topical gel/jelly, topical liquid, topical lotion, topical ointment, topical pad, topical patch extended release, topical solution, topical stick

Along with its needed effects, capsaicin topical (the active ingredient contained in Axsain) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking capsaicin topical:

• Burning, itching, dryness, pain, redness, swelling, or soreness at the application site

• Cough
• cough-producing mucus
• difficulty with breathing
• shortness of breath or troubled breathing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• tightness in the chest or wheezing

• Blurred vision
• dizziness
• headache
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• slow or fast heartbeat

• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• increased sensitivity to pain
• increased sensitivity to touch
• rapid weight gain
• tingling in the hands and feet
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• unusual weight gain or loss
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Some side effects of capsaicin topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Fever
• muscle aches
• nausea
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

• Abnormal skin color
• change in taste
• loss of taste