Qutenza^® (capsaicin) 8% patch

There are several treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain after shingles. There are oral medicines, meaning they are taken by mouth. These need to be taken daily and work by traveling through the body, acting on the nervous system. There is also a skin patch product that is applied to the site of pain every day and left on for up to 12 hours.

Another option is Qutenza^®, a unique, FDA-approved skin patch that—after a single, 1-hour treatment—can provide 3 months of relief from post-shingles pain. Qutenza^® is applied by your doctor or by a healthcare professional under the close supervision of your doctor.

Capsaicin is the substance in chili peppers that gives them their heat sensation.

Qutenza^® can provide 3 months of relief from post-shingles pain after a single 1-hour application, unlike many other medicines that have to be taken every day. Qutenza^® works by delivering medicine to the pain nerves in the skin at the site of your pain, unlike pills taken by mouth, which need to travel through your body to work. Qutenza^® is applied once every 3 or more months by your doctor or healthcare professional and is not likely to have side effects such as sedation or confusion.

The expected side effects from Qutenza^® are redness and a burning sensation where Qutenza^® is applied, similar to the feeling many people get from hot chili peppers. A numbing skin cream is applied to the site of pain prior to applying Qutenza^® to reduce treatment-related discomfort. These side effects are most common during and shortly after the treatment and generally last a few hours, though they can last longer. Your doctor or healthcare professional may use cold packs or pain medicine to reduce treatment-related discomfort. The most common serious side effects during Qutenza^® treatment are pain where Qutenza^® is applied and increased blood pressure. Click here to learn about the safety of Qutenza^®.

While the actual Qutenza^® treatment takes 60 minutes, the total time (including preparation for treatment) will be longer and can vary. There are 5 main steps involved in the process:

1. Your doctor or healthcare professional will identify the areas where you're experiencing pain and sensitivity and will mark the areas to be treated.
2. These areas will be numbed (anesthetized) with a topical numbing agent (anesthetic) and this anesthetic will be left on the skin until the skin is properly anesthetized (this time can vary).
3. The topical anesthetic will be removed and the Qutenza^® patch or patches will be applied.
4. After 60 minutes, the Qutenza^® patches will be removed.
5. The final step is to cleanse your treatment area by applying a special Cleansing Gel, which will be left on for approximately 1 minute before it is removed. Then the treatment area is gently washed with mild soap and water.

Click here to learn more about what happens during the Qutenza^® treatment.

Qutenza^® is unlikely to have an effect on your ability to drive. Some patients may require temporary use of pain-reducing medicines during and after their treatment. Some of these medicines, such as opioid analgesics, may influence your ability to drive or use machinery on the days they are taken. Talk to your doctor before your appointment about whether or not you should have someone to drive you home after the treatment.

For a few days after the treatment, the treated area may be sensitive to heat, so avoid hot showers or baths, direct sunlight, and exercising.

• Qutenza^® should be applied only by your doctor or healthcare professional working under the close supervision of your doctor. You should never apply Qutenza^® yourself.
• Do not touch Qutenza^® or the treatment area until you're ready to go home. Treatment near the eyes and other sensitive areas (mouth, nose, etc.) should be avoided.
• Your skin may become red or you may feel a burning sensation for a time during and after the Qutenza^® application. These effects usually begin to go away shortly after Qutenza^® is removed.
• The areas treated with Qutenza^® may be sensitive to heat (i.e., hot showers/baths, direct sunlight, exercising) for a few days following treatment.
• If required, pain-reducing medicines may be used during and after your treatment to minimize possible treatment discomfort. Some of these pain medicines may influence your ability to drive or use machinery on the days they are taken.