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Nerve pain can significantly affect your daily life, but Qutenza® 8% patches offer an effective, prescription-only treatment to help manage your symptoms.
Administered by a trained healthcare professional and applied directly to the affected area, Qutenza® patches deliver targeted relief.
In this guide, we explain what Qutenza® patches are, how they work, and how we can help you with nerve pain relief at Ramsay Health Care.
Qutenza® pain relief patches are a prescription treatment for specific types of nerve pain, including diabetic neuropathy, nerve pain caused by Shingles, and nerve damage from surgery, injuries, or other illnesses.
These pain relief patches are applied directly to the affected area by a trained healthcare professional. Qutenza® patches deliver medication straight to the source of your pain, providing targeted relief from your symptoms for up to three months without the need for invasive procedures or daily oral medication.
A Qutenza® patch contains a man-made form of capsaicin, the compound that gives chilli peppers their heat. As the capsaicin is absorbed through the skin, it temporarily desensitises your nerve endings, reducing the number of pain signals sent and helping to ease your symptoms.
Qutenza® patches work by reducing nerve sensitivity and calming overactive nerve signals in the specific area where you feel pain. They can help manage a range of nerve-related symptoms, including tingling, burning, or pins and needles.
Qutenza® patches may be prescribed for a range of conditions, including:
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Nerve pain and abnormal sensations caused by diabetes, typically affecting the hands, feet, or legs.
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN): Nerve pain following a Shingles infection, caused by damage to the affected nerve fibres.
Peripheral neuropathic pain: Nerve pain resulting from surgery, injury, other illnesses, or certain medications, affecting nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Qutenza® is also sometimes prescribed to treat localised pain that’s not directly related to nerve damage, such as pain from arthritis.
Qutenza® patches are applied by a trained healthcare professional in a clinical setting to ensure the patch covers the affected area safely and accurately. The Qutenza® patch may be cut to fit the specific area of your body, such as a foot affected by diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
The Qutenza® patch will be left on your skin for 60 minutes (or 30 minutes for feet). During this time, the capsaicin compound it contains will be absorbed into your skin. Some patients may experience temporary itching, burning, or stinging, which is a normal part of the treatment.
Capsaicin works by interacting with pain receptors (TRPV1 receptors) in your skin. Initially, this may cause a brief increase in sensations, such as burning or tingling. As the treatment continues, these nerve endings become less sensitive and send fewer pain signals to the brain.
This targeted, controlled application allows Qutenza® to provide relief from nerve pain for several weeks, sometimes up to three months, without the need for daily oral medication.
Qutenza® treatment must be administered by a trained professional to ensure safety, correct dosing, and optimal placement of the patch.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, discuss this with your doctor before starting Qutenza® treatment. Your doctor will advise on whether the treatment is suitable and may recommend pausing breastfeeding during treatment.
Qutenza® rarely interacts with other medications, but it’s recommended you bring a complete list of all medicines and supplements you take to your consultation so your healthcare professional can review them.
Qutenza® is intended for adults experiencing localised nerve pain. It can be used alone or alongside other pain-relieving medications, depending on your individual needs.
Qutenza® treatment may not be suitable if you:
Are allergic to capsaicin (also found in chilli peppers)
Have open wounds or broken skin in the treatment area
Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or certain heart conditions
Your Ramsay Health Care Pain Management Consultant will carefully assess your suitability for Qutenza® treatment during your consultation and recommend the safest, most effective approach for your pain management.
Qutenza® nerve pain relief patches are applied by a trained doctor or nurse in a clinical setting. They’re not for home use.
Here’s what to expect during your treatment:
The treatment area will be marked, cleaned, and any hair gently clipped.
You may receive oral pain relief or a numbing cream applied to the area beforehand.
The Qutenza® patch will be cut to fit the treatment area and carefully applied.
The patch will remain in place for 60 minutes (30 minutes for feet) while the medication is absorbed.
After the Qutenza® patch is removed, the area will be cleaned with a special gel and then washed with soap and lukewarm water.
During and shortly after treatment, you may feel warmth, stinging, tenderness, or redness, which is normal. Your blood pressure will be monitored throughout, and additional pain relief may be provided if needed.
After your Qutenza® treatment, it is normal to experience some discomfort in the treated area. Your skin may feel sore for a few days, similar to a mild sunburn. Over-the-counter pain relief may be recommended to manage any discomfort.
To support your recovery:
Avoid heat exposure to the treated area for a few days, including hot baths, heating pads, direct sunlight, or sunbeds.
Keep the treated skin clean and dry, washing gently with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Avoid contact with eyes, face, or other sensitive areas, as some capsaicin may transfer and cause irritation.
Pain relief is not immediate. Some patients notice a reduction in pain after a few days, but for most, it takes one to three weeks. Relief can last several weeks and up to three months. If your response is positive, repeated treatments may be recommended.
Speak with your Ramsay Health Care Pain Management Consultant if you have questions or if you feel you are not experiencing enough pain relief. Your consultant will provide guidance on the next steps and ongoing management of your nerve pain.
At Ramsay Health Care, our Pain Management Consultants have extensive experience helping patients manage and overcome nerve pain. We work closely with you to assess your symptoms and develop a personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan, which may include prescribing Qutenza® pain relief patches where appropriate.
Book an appointment with one of our expert Pain Management Consultants today to discuss your options and start your journey toward effective pain relief.
Our Ramsay Health Care hospitals use Qutenza® (capsaicin 8%) pain relief patches for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic nerve pain in adults. This includes conditions such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), and other nerve damage-related pain.
Patients usually experience pain relief within one to three weeks after Qutenza® treatment. Relief can last for several weeks up to three months. Your Pain Management Consultant can advise if repeated treatments are appropriate.
Qutenza® is a clinically proven option for localised peripheral neuropathic pain. It contains a high concentration of capsaicin (8%) , which reduces the activity of overactive pain nerves in the treated area. Your Ramsay consultant will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your condition.
After the treatment period (60 minutes for most areas of your body, 30 minutes for your feet), the Qutenza® patch is carefully removed by a healthcare professional. Any remaining Qutenza® on the skin is washed off with a special cleansing gel to minimise lingering sensations. Your consultant will ensure your skin is safe and comfortable following removal.
The most effective patch depends on the type of pain. For neuropathic pain, Qutenza® is highly effective because it directly targets overactive pain nerves. Other patches may be more suitable for muscle or joint pain. Your consultant will assess your symptoms and recommend the best treatment for your needs.
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