Qutenza

Qutenza is a prescription medication used to treat the burning, stabbing pain or aches that may last for months or years after an attack of shingles (postherpetic neuralgia PHN). Qutenza patches are also used to relieve the pain and numbness or tingling due to nerve damage in people who have diabetes (peripheral neuropathy DPN). Capsaicin, the active ingredient in Qutenza, is a substance that is found in chili peppers. It works by affecting nerve cells in the skin that are associated with pain, which results in decreased activity of these nerve cells and a reduced sense of pain.

Qutenza comes as an 8% patch to be applied to the skin by a doctor or nurse. Your doctor will choose the best place to apply the patch(es) in order to treat your condition. For postherpetic neuralgia, up to 4 patches are usually applied for 60 minutes once every 3 months. If Qutenza is used to relieve the pain of diabetic neuropathy, up to 4 patches are usually applied for 30 minutes once every 3 months.

Common side effects include redness, pain and itching at application site.

Qutenza is a prescription medication used in adults for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.

• NeurogesX, Inc.

There are no known drug interactions with Qutenza. Qutenza can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.

Accidental exposure to capsaicin from touching Qutenza or other items exposed to capsaicin can cause severe irritation of eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and skin.

If irritation of eyes or airways occurs, or if any of the side effects become severe, to notify your doctor immediately.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Qutenza there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Qutenza.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to capsaicin, any other medications, chili peppers, or any of the other ingredients in capsaicin patches. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, stroke or mini-stroke, heart problems, or trouble feeling or sensing touch on the skin. As a result of treatment-related increases in pain, small transient (lasting only for a short time) increases in blood pressure may occur during and shortly after Qutenza treatment. Your blood pressure will be monitored during the treatment procedure.

Qutenza comes as an 8% patch to be applied to the skin by a doctor or nurse. Your doctor will choose the best place to apply the patch(es) in order to treat your condition. For postherpetic neuralgia, up to 4 patches are usually applied for 60 minutes once every 3 months. If Qutenza is used to relieve the pain of diabetic neuropathy, up to 4 patches are usually applied for 30 minutes once every 3 months.

Your doctor may apply an anesthetic to numb your skin before applying Qutenza. Tell your doctor if you experience pain at the application site. Your doctor may use a cold pack or give you another medication for pain.

The treated area may be sensitive to heat. For a few days after treatment with Qutenza, protect the area where the patch was applied from direct heat such as heating pads, electric blankets, hair dryers, heat lamps, saunas, and hot tubs. In addition, vigorous exercise should be avoided for a few days following treatment.