Qutenza^®: a capsaicin 8% patch for the management of postherpetic neuralgia

Abstract

Despite currently available treatments, postherpetic neuralgia continues to be a challenging pain condition to treat. Many patients remain in pain or suffer side effects from the (combination) therapies. A patch containing 8% capsaicin (research code NGX-4010 and marketed under the trade name Qutenza^®), approved both in the EU and USA, provides a localized therapy with effects lasting up to 12 weeks after a single 60-min application. This review will summarize clinical trial evidence on the safety, efficacy and unique attributes of this capsaicin 8% patch in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. The action of capsaicin on the transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1 receptors will be discussed.

Keywords::

• capsaicin
• patch
• postherpetic neuralgia

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have received research support from NeurogesX. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.