The use of capsaicin in loin pain‐haematuria syndrome

Abstract

Intrarenal capsaicin at best produces only short-term pain relief in more than half of patients with LPHS. It produces significant side-effects, i.e. UTI, bladder pain, and in up to half of patients, deteriorating symptoms. Further loss of functional renal tissue and a nephrectomy rate of 20-67% should be weighed against the benefits. We have therefore abandoned its use in treating LPHS or renal pain, and recommend that patients should be adequately counselled on its potential side-effects, including nephrotoxicity and increased nephrectomy rate.