Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum

The Basics

What is Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum?

Capsaicin is a chili pepper extract with analgesic properties.

Brand names for Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum

N/A

How Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum is classified

Complementary Therapies, Food, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum During Pregnancy

Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum while pregnant

N/A

Taking Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum?

Cayenne peppers (Capsicum species) contain capsaicin and related compounds which cause the hot, spicy flavor, as well as numerous other components. Capsicum has no specific lactation-related uses and no information is available on the excretion of Capsicum components in breastmilk. Capsicum is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Oral ingestion can cause gastrointestinal irritation and has caused skin rashes in the breastfed infants of women who eat foods spiced with red peppers.[1] Capsicum may increase the risk of bleeding and should be used cautiously in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Cross reactions can occur in those allergic to members of the Solanaceae family of plants (e.g., potatoes, tomatoes, paprika, Jimson weed). Capsaicin is used topically for pain. Application of Capsicum or capsaicin to the mother’s skin should not affect the infant as long as the infant’s skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated. Do not apply capsaisin cream to the breast. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Cayenne peppers (Capsicum species) contain capsaicin and related compounds which cause the hot, spicy flavor, as well as numerous other components. Capsicum has no specific lactation-related uses and no information is available on the excretion of Capsicum components in breastmilk. Capsicum is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Oral ingestion can cause gastrointestinal irritation and has caused skin rashes in the breastfed infants of women who eat foods spiced with red peppers.[1] Capsicum may increase the risk of bleeding and should be used cautiously in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Cross reactions can occur in those allergic to members of the Solanaceae family of plants (e.g., potatoes, tomatoes, paprika, Jimson weed). Capsaicin is used topically for pain. Application of Capsicum or capsaicin to the mother’s skin should not affect the infant as long as the infant’s skin does not come into direct contact with the areas of skin that have been treated. Do not apply capsaisin cream to the breast. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Capsicum / Capsicum frutescens Capsicum annuum Capsicum chinense Capsicum baccatum Capsicum pubescens Capsicum minimum

None listed