Capsicum - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use capsicum?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use capsicum.

• Capsicum
• Capsicum annuum
• Capsicum chinense
• Capsicum frutescens
• Cayenne
• Chili pepper
• Hot pepper
• Paprika
• Red pepper
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific capsicum products they stock.

What should I know about capsicum before using it?

Capsicum is available as a dietary supplement and in homeopathic products. These cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep capsicum out of the reach of children.

Some capsicum products are homeopathic, meaning they contain only very small amounts of capsicum. These small amounts are unlikely to be poisonous or cause serious side effects. But some homeopathic products have been found to contain larger amounts than listed on the label and can cause side effects. The FDA has not tested capsicum products to confirm that they contain the ingredients or amounts stated on their labels. Learn more about the risks of homeopathic products here.

Capsicum products are not the same as OTC topical capsaicin pain relievers, such as creams, gels, or patches, or prescription capsaicin patches. Do not substitute one for another.

Herbal products, such as capsicum, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific capsicum product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Capsicum supplements can be made from different species of the plant, including Capsicum annuum (cayenne), Capsicum frutescens, and Capsicum chinense (habanero, ghost pepper). These species have different capsaicinoid profiles, with C. chinense varieties typically being considerably more pungent. A supplement derived from C. chinense at the same labeled dose as a cayenne supplement may deliver a much higher capsaicinoid load. Capsicum supplements come in many forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts. Read the product label to understand which species and form was used.

The FDA has not tested capsicum products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using capsicum?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if capsicum is right for you.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Stomach problems, including acid reflux or GERD, stomach tears or ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease

Other Medicines and Supplements. Capsicum may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking capsicum, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how capsicum could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not clear whether capsaicin from capsicum supplements passes into breast milk. Limited evidence suggests possible effects on breastfed infants after eating foods containing capsicum, but more data is needed to confirm whether taking capsicum supplements does. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.