What is Qutenza ?
Qutenza patches contain capsaicin.
Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot.
Capsaicin is used in medicated creams and lotions to relieve muscle or joint
pain.
Capsaicin used on the body causes a
sensation of heat that activates certain nerve cells. With regular use of
capsaicin, this heating effect reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical
that acts as a pain messenger in the body.
Qutenza patches are used to treat nerve
pain (neuralgia) in people who have had herpes zoster, or "shingles."
Usage:
When
a capsaicin cream or ointment is used on the skin (topical use), capsaicin
helps relieve pain. Capsaicin works by first stimulating and then decreasing
the intensity of pain signals in the body. Although pain may at first increase,
it usually decreases after the first use. Capsaicin stimulates the release of a
compound believed to be involved in communicating pain between the nerves in
the spinal cord and other parts of the body. When you apply it to the skin, capsaicin may help relieve pain from:
- Pain disorders, including pain after surgery.
- Nervous system problems such as diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal neuralgia, and postherpetic neuralgia (shingles).
- Cluster headaches.
- Joint problems such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Skin conditions such as psoriasis.
- Mouth sores due to chemotherapy or radiation.
In general, you use creams containing
capsaicin for pain relief. You can put the creams on your skin up to 4 times a
day. You may feel a burning or itching sensation the
first few times you use the cream, but this will gradually decrease with each
use. Wash your hands thoroughly
after each use to avoid getting the cream in your eyes or on other moist mucous membranes,
where it can cause a burning sensation. Do not use the cream on areas of broken
skin.
Qutenza
side effects
·
skin redness where the medicine was applied; or
·
trouble breathing or swallowing (after accidental inhalation of capsaicin odor
or dried residue).
Less serious side effects may include
a mild burning sensation that can last for several hours or days, especially
after your first use of Qutenza.
Molecular Weight:
305.41 g/mol
Molecular structure:
