Qutenza patches must be applied only by a healthcare professional.
Do not use Qutenza if you are allergic to chili peppers, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to capsaicin topical.
Capsaicin can cause a burning sensation wherever it is applied. If you have significant discomfort or skin redness, it can be treated with an ice pack or pain relieving medication.
Get medical attention right away if you have severe burning, pain, swelling, or blistering of the skin where you applied the Qutenza patches.
Before using this medicine
Do not use Qutenza if you are allergic to chili peppers, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to capsaicin topical.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using Qutenza if you have any allergies (especially to plants), or if you have a serious medical condition.
It is not known whether Qutenza will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether capsaicin topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not apply Qutenza to your breast area if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication on anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I use Qutenza?
Use Qutenza exactly as directed. Qutenza patches must be applied only by a healthcare professional.
Do not touch Qutenza, treatment areas, and all used supplies or other materials placed in contact with the treatment area without wearing nitrile gloves.
Do not take by mouth. This medicine is for use only on the skin.
Do not use Qutenza on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin. If this medicine gets in your eyes, nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina, rinse with water.
Make sure your skin is clean and dry before you apply the patch.
Pre-treat the area 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 a Qutenza patch.
Qutenza patches must be applied only by a healthcare professional. Tear open the pouch along the three dashed lines and remove the patch.
Inspect the patch and identify the outer surface backing layer with the printing 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 the patch 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 on to the skin.
Once the Qutenza patch is applied, leave in place for 60 minutes for postherpetic neuralgia, and 30 minutes for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet.
To keep the medication from getting on your hands when you apply it, use nitrile gloves. Wear nitrile gloves at all times while handling Qutenza and cleaning treatment areas.
Capsaicin can cause a burning sensation wherever it is applied.
If the burning sensation is painful or causes significant discomfort, wash the treated skin area with soap and cool water. Get medical attention right away if you have severe burning, pain, swelling, or blistering.
Do not cover treated skin with a bandage or heating pad, which can increase the burning sensation. You may cover the skin with clothing.
Avoid taking a bath or shower within 1 hour before or after you apply capsaicin to your skin. Also avoid direct sunlight, swimming or vigorous exercise. Warm water or perspiration can increase the burning sensation caused by capsaicin.
Avoid getting Qutenza in your eyes or near your nose where you might inhale it. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse thoroughly with water.
Use only nitrile gloves when handling Qutenza, and when cleaning capsaicin residue from the skin. Do not use latex gloves as they do not provide adequate protection.
Also avoid getting this medication on contact lenses, dentures, and other items that come into contact with sensitive areas of your body.
For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Pain relief should occur gradually as the substance P in your body is decreased in the nerve cells.
Call your doctor if your pain does not improve after using this medication for 7 days, or if your symptoms get worse or get better and then come back in a few days.
Store Qutenza at room temperature away from moisture and heat, in a place where children and pets cannot get to it.
