capsaicin cutaneous patch (Qutenza)

Advice

following a full submission:

capsaicin (Qutenza) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland.

Indication under review: For the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in non-diabetic adults either alone or in combination with other medicinal products for pain.

SMC restriction: use of this product is restricted to the treatment of adults with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) who have not achieved adequate pain relief from, or who have not tolerated, conventional first and second-line treatments. Treatment should be under the supervision of a specialist in pain management.

Evidence was presented for patients with PHN only. Capsaicin patch significantly reduced pain scores compared to a low-concentration control patch in three clinical studies. The manufacturer did not submit data on the use of capsaicin patch in other neuropathies therefore SMC cannot recommend its use in these patient groups.