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Qutenza Coupon - Qutenza 1 patch of 8% kit

Qutenza

capsaicin
Used for Postherpetic Neuralgia
Used for Postherpetic Neuralgia

Qutenza (capsaicin) is a prescription topical system that's applied directly on the skin to relieve nerve pain (peripheral neuropathy) from shingles or diabetes. A healthcare professional will help you apply and remove the patch because it contains a high strength of capsaicin, which can damage areas like your skin, eyes, or nose if not used correctly. The dose can be repeated 3 months later if you're still having pain. Common side effects include application site pain and irritation.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 11, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Qutenza (capsaicin)?

What is Qutenza (capsaicin) used for?

How Qutenza (capsaicin) works

Qutenza (capsaicin) is a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor (TRPV1) agonist. It's thought to work on the TRPV1 proteins in your body to lower the number of pain signals sent to the brain. By lowering your sensitivity to pain, Qutenza (capsaicin) helps to relieve nerve pain.

Are you looking for information on capsaicin cream instead?
When does Qutenza (capsaicin) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsQutenza
Drug ClassTransient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) agonist
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Qutenza (capsaicin)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Shingles-related nerve pain:
  • Redness at application site (63%)
  • Pain at application site (42%)
Diabetic nerve pain in the feet:
  • Burning sensation at application site (14%)
  • Pain in arms or legs (11%)
  • Pain at application site (10%)

Other Side Effects

Shingles-related nerve pain:
  • Swelling or raised areas of skin at application site
  • Itching or dryness at application site
  • General itching
  • Common cold
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • High blood pressure
Diabetic nerve pain in the feet:
  • Redness at application site
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • High blood pressure
When do Qutenza (capsaicin) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
MINUTES
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Skin redness
Burning sensation
Pain where applied

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common - all forms

Burning, itching, dryness, pain, redness, swelling, or soreness at the application site

Less common - all forms

Body aches or pain

chills

cough

difficulty with breathing

dry or productive cough

ear congestion

fever

headache

loss of voice

sneezing

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

tightness in the chest

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common - patch only

Blurred vision

breakdown of the skin

dizziness

nervousness

pain in the arms or legs

pounding in the ears

slow or fast heartbeat

Incidence not known - patch only

Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

eye irritation or pain

increased sensitivity to pain or touch

scarring of the skin

stabbing pain

throat irritation

unusual weight gain or loss

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common - patch only

Muscle aches

nausea

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

vomiting

Incidence not known - patch only

Abnormal skin odor

change in or loss of taste

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Qutenza (capsaicin)

thumbs-up

Pros

Applied directly at the site for pain relief

A dose typically lasts for up to 3 months

Can be used with other pain medications if needed

thumbs-down

Cons

Commonly causes temporary pain at the application site

Must be applied by a healthcare professional

Can take up to a few weeks to start working

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Qutenza (capsaicin)

pharmacist

  • If Qutenza (capsaicin) is handled incorrectly, it can cause severe irritation to certain areas of your body like your skin, nose, eyes, or lungs. So during your appointment, don't touch the affected area or the medication. If you do, let your care team know right away so they can help you remove it.

    • The affected area(s) of your skin might be sensitive to heat (e.g., hot showers, direct sunlight, intense exercise) for a few days after receiving Qutenza (capsaicin).

      • It's common for Qutenza (capsaicin) to cause pain or a burning sensation during application and removal of the patch. If this happens, let your prescriber know so you can receive an ice pack or pain medication to help.

        • Since the pain caused by Qutenza (capsaicin) can raise your blood pressure, your prescriber might want to monitor your blood pressure on the treatment day. Make sure to tell them if you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure before receiving the medication.

          How Qutenza (capsaicin) is applied

          • Qutenza (capsaicin) is a patch that's applied onto your skin by a healthcare professional (HCP). It's not a patch that you can take home and apply yourself.

            • Before applying the patch, your HCP will examine the affected area(s). If needed, they might need to clip hair that's in the area.

              • Your HCP might apply a topical local anesthetic to numb the area that'll then need to be wiped off before applying Qutenza (capsaicin).

                • Once Qutenza (capsaicin) is applied, it's left on for either 30 minutes for diabetes-related nerve pain or 1 hour for shingles related-nerve pain.

                  • After removal, your HCP will apply a cleansing gel for about a minute and then clean it off with soap and water.

                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Qutenza (capsaicin)

                    How long do you keep Qutenza (capsaicin) on?
                    Qutenza (capsaicin) is kept on for 30 minutes to treat diabetes-related nerve pain or 1 hour to treat shingles-related nerve pain. A healthcare professional will help you apply and remove the medication.
                    How well does Qutenza (capsaicin) work?
                    In shingles-related nerve pain studies, there was about a 30% drop in pain scores in people who used Qutenza (capsaicin) after 2 months. In diabetes-related nerve pain studies, there was about a 29% drop in pain scores in people who used Qutenza (capsaicin) after 2 months. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about how well this medication might work for you.
                    How long does it take for Qutenza (capsaicin) to work?
                    In clinical studies, some people with diabetic nerve pain felt relief as early as 19 days after their healthcare provider applied Qutenza (capsaicin). In another study, people with shingles-related nerve pain felt better 1-2 weeks after receiving the treatment. But the pain typically comes back after a while. So you might need to visit your prescriber every 3 months as needed to repeat treatment if your pain returns.
                    How is Qutenza (capsaicin) applied?
                    Qutenza (capsaicin) is a topical patch that's applied directly onto your skin by a healthcare professional. It's not a patch that you can take home and apply yourself. That's because Qutenza (capsaicin) contains a higher strength of capsaicin compared to capsaicin products you can find over the counter. Because of this, the healthcare professional will handle it with extreme caution so it doesn't harm you.
                    Can I cut Qutenza (capsaicin)?
                    Your prescriber can cut Qutenza (capsaicin) to match the size and shape of the affected area(s). The patch should be cut before removing the protective release liner to avoid accidentally touching the side of the patch containing the medication.
                    Does the Qutenza (capsaicin) patch hurt?
                    It's common to feel pain during application and removal with Qutenza (capsaicin), but it should go away by the end of the treatment day. In clinical studies, 10% of people treated for diabetes-related nerve pain and 42% of people treated for shingles-related nerve pain reported pain at the application site. To lower your risk for pain, your prescriber might apply a topical local anesthetic before applying Qutenza (capsaicin) to numb the area.
                    Is Qutenza (capsaicin) over the counter?
                    No. Unlike some other capsaicin products, Qutenza (capsaicin) is only available by prescription from a healthcare professional.
                    Is Qutenza (capsaicin) safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
                    Since Qutenza (capsaicin) is applied directly onto your skin, not much is expected to be absorbed into your body. And animal studies show Qutenza (capsaicin) didn't cause harm to unborn babies when applied to pregnant mothers. But it hasn't been studied in humans, so it's best to talk to your OB-GYN provider about the risks and benefits of the medication.
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                    What are the risks and warnings for Qutenza (capsaicin)?

                    Qutenza (capsaicin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                    risk-warning

                    Pain during application and removal

                    Qutenza (capsaicin) can cause pain or a burning sensation during application and removal, even after your healthcare professional numbs the skin with a local anesthetic. The pain should go away by the end of the treatment day. If Qutenza (capsaicin) causes pain, let your HCP know so they can treat it with an ice pack or pain medication.

                    risk-warning

                    High blood pressure

                    • Risk factors: Uncontrolled high blood pressure | History of heart problems or stroke

                      The pain caused by Qutenza (capsaicin) can lead to a small and temporary rise in your blood pressure. You might be at higher risk of complications from this rise in blood pressure if you already have uncontrolled high blood pressure or if you have a history of heart problems or stroke. Your care team might monitor your blood pressure during treatment with Qutenza (capsaicin).

                      risk-warning

                      Loss of sensation

                      It's possible for Qutenza (capsaicin) to lower your sensory function, such as sensing heat with your skin. This problem tends to be mild and goes away. If your sensory function worsens or completely goes away, contact your prescriber. You might have to stop using Qutenza (capsaicin).

                      dosage

                      Qutenza (capsaicin) dosage forms

                      Typical dosing for Qutenza (capsaicin)

                      Qutenza (capsaicin) is available as a topical system (patch) that's applied directly to your skin. This medication is applied onto your skin by a healthcare professional.

                      • Diabetes-related nerve pain in the feet: The typical dose is 1 to 4 patches applied on the affected area(s) for 30 minutes.

                      • Shingles-related nerve pain: The typical dose is 1 to 4 patches applied on the affected area(s) for 1 hour.

                      The dose can be repeated every 3 months if your pain returns.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Qutenza (capsaicin) and other drugs

                      Qutenza (capsaicin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Qutenza (capsaicin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Qutenza (capsaicin)?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Qutenza (capsaicin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Qutenza (capsaicin)
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                      Lidocaine 5% patch (Lidoderm)
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                      Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
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                      Qutenza (capsaicin) images

                      This medicine is Colorless, Rectangular Kit Imprinted With "Capsaicin 8%".

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Averitas Pharma Inc. (2024). Qutenza- capsaicin kit [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      Backonja, M., et al. (2008). NGX-4010, a high-concentration capsaicin patch, for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: A randomised, double-blind study. The Lancet Neurology.

                      Fattori, V., et al. (2016). Capsaicin: Current understanding of its mechanisms and therapy of pain and other pre-clinical and clinical uses. Molecules.

                      View All References (2)

                      Laklouk, M., et al. (2016). Profile of the capsaicin 8% patch for the management of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia: Safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability. Patient Preference and Adherence.

                      Simpson, D. M., et al. (2017). Capsaicin 8% patch in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Journal of Pain.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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