Qutenza^® (capsaicin) 8% patch

Application Procedure

Qutenza^® should be administered by a physician or a healthcare professional under the close supervision of a physician.¹ To request Qutenza^® training, click here.

Pre-treatment considerations:

• Your patient's blood pressure should be monitored prior to and during Qutenza^® treatment.
• Nitrile (not latex) gloves must be worn when handling and applying Qutenza^® .
• Qutenza^® should be applied to the painful skin areas and any areas of hypersensitivity or allodynia.
• The recommended dose of Qutenza^® is a single, 1-hour application of up to 4 patches.
• Qutenza^® should be used only on dry, intact (unbroken) skin.
• Treatment with Qutenza^® may be repeated every 3 months or as warranted by the return of pain, but not more frequently than every 3 months.

1 Identify:

The treatment area (painful area including areas of hypersensitivity and allodynia) must be identified by a physician and marked on the skin.

If necessary, clip hair (do not shave) in and around the identified treatment area to promote patch adherence.

Qutenza^® should be cut to match the size and the shape of the treatment area.

Gently wash the treatment area with mild soap and water and dry thoroughly.

2 Anesthetize:

Pre-treat with a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort associated with the application of Qutenza^®.

Apply topical anesthetic to the entire treatment area and surrounding 1 to 2 cm, and keep the local anesthetic in place until the skin is anesthetized, prior to the application of the Qutenza^® patch.

Remove the topical anesthetic with a dry wipe. Gently wash the treatment area with mild soap and water and dry thoroughly.

3 Apply:

Cut open the pouch along the 3 dashed lines and remove the Qutenza^® patch.

Inspect the Qutenza^® patch and identify the outer surface backing layer with "capsaicin 8%" printed on one side and the capsaicin-containing adhesive on the other side. The adhesive side of the patch is covered by a clear, unprinted, diagonally cut release liner.

Cut Qutenza^® before removing the protective release liner.

The diagonal cut in the release liner is to aid in its removal. Peel a small section of the release liner back, and place the adhesive side of the patch on the treatment area.

While you slowly peel back the release liner from under the patch with one hand, use your other hand to smooth the patch down onto the skin.

Once Qutenza^® is applied, leave in place for 60 minutes.

To ensure Qutenza^® maintains contact with the treatment area, a dressing, such as rolled gauze, may be used.

Instruct the patient not to touch the patch or treatment area.

4 Remove:

Remove the patch by gently and slowly rolling it inward.

5 Cleanse:

After removal of Qutenza^®, generously apply Cleansing Gel to the treatment area and leave on for at least one minute. Remove Cleansing Gel with a dry wipe and gently wash the area with mild soap and water and dry thoroughly.

Immediately after use, dispose of used and unused patches, Cleansing Gel, and other treatment materials in accordance with the local biomedical waste procedures.

Inform the patient that the treated area may be sensitive for a few days to heat (e.g., hot showers/baths, direct sunlight, vigorous exercise).

PLEASE SEE FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION FOR COMPLETE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS.