A:  Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream is a topical analgesic cream made with 0.1% total capsaicin — a powerful natural pain reliever derived from hot chili peppers.   Capsaicin works by actually reducing the substance that sends pain signals to the brain.

A: Zostrix® Original Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream is a topical analgesic cream made with 0.033% total capsaicin — a powerful natural pain reliever derived from hot chili peppers.  Capsaicin works by actually reducing the substance that sends pain signals to the brain.

A. Zostrix® Maximum Strength Foot Pain Relief Cream, made with 0.1% total capsaicin, is a penetrating, Topical Analgesic Cream developed specifically for the relief of tough foot pain. Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Foot Pain Relief Cream provides powerful penetrating, warming relief that’s odorless and greaseless.

A:  Zostrix® works with your body’s chemistry to lower your level of Substance P, the body’s “pain messenger.” When Substance P is reduced, so is the pain. Zostrix® is designed to be used regularly, 3 to 4 times a day, so that capsaicin builds up, Substance P fades, and so does your pain.

A. Zostrix® Original Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream is formulated to help those suffering from aches and pains. Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream is formulated to help those suffering from severe pain. Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Foot Pain Relief Cream is formulated to help those suffering from severe foot pain.

A. Independent drugstores and online retailers.

A. Zostrix® Maximum Strength and Zostrix® Original Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream are found in the topical analgesic section and Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Foot Pain Relief Cream is found in the Diabetic section near the pharmacy of your favorite drugstore. These products can also be found online using our store locator.

A. These products have been discontinued, but we suggest you try our other products, Zostrix® Maximum Strength, Zostrix® Original Strength and Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Foot Pain Relief Cream.

A. We have renamed these products.

• Zostrix HP Arthritis Pain Relief = Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream
• Zostrix Original Strength Arthritis Pain Relief = Zostrix® Original Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream
• Zostrix HP Foot Pain Relief Cream = Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Foot Pain Relief Cream

A. Do not use on any areas of skin where there are open cuts or sores. Ask your doctor before using with skin conditions.

A: Just rub it in until the cream disappears, trying not to get any on your hands. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after application, to avoid accidentally getting any cream in your eyes or mouth, if you happen to touch these areas after application.

A. Capsaicin is the natural active ingredient in red chili peppers. It relieves the pain of arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders effectively. The same way that biting into a hot chili pepper incites a powerful stimulation of local sensory receptors in the mucous membranes, capsaicin, when applied, can cause a sensation of warmth.

Zostrix® Original Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream is made with 0.033% total capsaicin. Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream has a higher potency than Zostrix® Original Strength and is made with 0.1% total capsaicin. Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Foot Pain Relief Cream is formulated for your feet and made with 0.1% total capsaicin.

A: Many other topical pain relievers contain a counter irritant that just masks pain by stimulating the nerves to produce a slightly uncomfortable cool/warm sensation. These creams do not work in the same way as the active ingredient, capsaicin, in Zostrix®. Capsaicin actually lowers the substance that sends pain signals to the brain, effectively reducing pain with regular use.

A. No. Zostrix® Natural Pain Relief Cream provides powerful penetrating, warming relief that’s odorless and greaseless.

A: Yes, Zostrix® is greaseless so it won’t ruin your socks or shoes.  Just rub it in until the cream disappears, trying not to get any on your hands.  Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after application, to avoid accidentally getting any cream in your eyes or mouth.

A. Yes, Zostrix® is greaseless so it won’t ruin your clothes. And it’s odorless, so no one will detect you are wearing it. Just rub it in until the cream disappears, trying not to get any on your hands. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after application, to avoid accidentally getting any cream in your eyes or mouth.

A. Check with your doctor.

A. Yes. When oral medicines do not completely relieve your arthritis pain, you can use Zostrix® for additional pain relief. In well-controlled clinical studies, arthritis sufferers who used Zostrix® as directed along with their existing oral pain medications typically obtained additional relief. In addition, Zostrix® has no known drug interactions, contraindications, or systemic side effects. You can be comfortable knowing that Zostrix® will not interfere with your oral medications; Zostrix® works along with oral pain relievers to relieve arthritis pain more effectively.

A. Ask a health professional before use.

A. Zostrix® has a long-established safety record. There are no known serious side effects with Zostrix® Original, Zostrix® Maximum Strength Foot Pain or Zostrix® Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream. However, some people do experience a burning sensation upon application, especially when they first begin to use Zostrix® or if they use too much. In most cases, any burning should diminish if Zostrix® is used consistently as directed. As long as the burning sensation is tolerable and temporary, you should not be concerned. Here are a few tips to help minimize any burning sensation:

• Do not apply Zostrix® to broken, open, or irritated skin.
• Do not bandage or tightly wrap the Zostrix®-treated area.
• Use only a small amount of Zostrix® to cover the painful area with a thin film of cream.
• Apply Zostrix® regularly, 3 to 4 times daily. If you use Zostrix® less often, you are more likely to feel burning upon each application.
• Avoid applying heat to the Zostrix®-treated area, especially immediately before or after application of Zostrix®. Avoid taking hot showers or baths, using a heating pad, and exposing the Zostrix®-treated area to the sun.
• Avoid activities that will cause excessive perspiration after applying Zostrix®.
• If you apply Zostrix® cream by hand, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after each application, in order to avoid spreading capsaicin to the eyes, nose, or other sensitive areas of the body. For the same reason, some Zostrix® users find it helpful to wear a disposable glove when applying Zostrix®.

A. First, try washing and rinsing the area thoroughly with cool water and soap. If this fails to remove all the residue, then soak a washcloth in cool water and apply periodic compresses to the area. Please discontinue use of this product and consult your doctor if severe burning persists.

Carefully flush the affected eye with water to remove any traces of Zostrix®.  Please see your eye doctor if pain continues.  In using Zostrix®, be especially careful not to get any cream residue on contact lenses.  If this happens, clean the contact lenses in their usual cleaning solution. If this fails to remove all traces of residue, you could try soaking the contact lenses in milk and then re-cleaning them in their usual cleaning solution.  You should check with your eye doctor first before trying any cleansing methods for your contact lenses.

A: For maximum pain relief, Zostrix® must be applied three to four times a day, every day. Relief may not occur, or may be delayed, if Zostrix® is used less frequently than directed. Do not apply to affected area more than 3-4 times daily. Because the reduction of Substance P takes time, you should expect gradual pain relief from Zostrix®. The time required to achieve pain relief varies from individual to individual.

 A: You should expect gradual, not immediate, pain relief from Zostrix®. The time required to achieve pain relief varies from individual to individual. Scientists believe that Substance P builds up around arthritic joints and sends pain signals along nerve pathways to the brain. By applying Zostrix® regularly—three to four times a day, every day—you work to reduce the Substance P in the area. Over time, as Substance P levels fall, your pain diminishes.

A. There are no time restrictions on how long you can use Zostrix®. Indeed, to maintain its effectiveness in reducing pain, Zostrix® must be applied regularly, three to four times each day. If you stop using Zostrix® once its effects have started to work, Substance P may build up again and your pain may return.

A. If you have arthritis or other ongoing condition, Substance P will start to build up again over time and pain is likely to recur. If the cause of the painful condition was temporary, it is likely that pain will not recur.

A. The cap may be turned upside-down. The smaller end with threads goes on the tube.

 A: Arthritis refers to nearly 100 inflammatory conditions that affect joints and connective tissue, but the two most common forms are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

A. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time. Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/basics/definition/con-20014749

A. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/basics/definition/con-20014868

A. We recently adjusted the Zostrix active ingredient label claim to bre consisten with other brands in the category. The formula has not changed.

The capsaicin active ingredient used in this product has always consisted of 2 separate molecules, “capsaicin” and “dihydrocapsaicin”.   We previously only listed just the capsaicin molecule content, which was 0.075%.  We now list the active content as “total capsaicin”, which is 0.1%.  There has been no change in the formulation, and no change in the amount of capsaicin in the formulation.

Variant Name	NDC	Plain Capsaicin Old Packaging	Total Capsaicin (new packaging)
Zostrix HP Arthritis Pain Relief/ Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief	61787-443-02	0.075%	0.1%
Zostrix Original Strength Arthritis Pain Relief/ Original Strength Natural Pain Relief	61787-442-02	0.025%	0.033%
Zostrix HP Foot Pain Relief/ Maximum Foot Pain Relief	61787-556-02	0.075%	0.1%