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QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH

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About the medicine

How to use QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH

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This page provides general information and does not replace a doctor’s consultation. Always consult a doctor before taking any medication. Seek urgent medical care if symptoms are severe.

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Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Qutenza 179mg transdermal patch

capsaicin

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

  • Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
  • If you have any further questions, ask your doctor.
  • This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
  • If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack and other information:

  1. What is Qutenza and what is it used for
  2. What you need to know before you use Qutenza
  3. How to use Qutenza
  4. Possible side effects
  5. Storing Qutenza
  6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Qutenza and what is it used for

Qutenza contains capsaicin and belongs to a group of medicines called anesthetics.

Qutenza is indicated for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in adults either alone or in combination with other pain medicines.

Qutenza is used to relieve pain in people who have neuropathic pain due to damage to the nerves in the skin. The nerves in the skin can be damaged as a result of various diseases, such as shingles, HIV infection, diabetes, certain medicines, and other disorders. You may notice pain relief between week 1 and 3 after treatment.

Doctor consultation

Not sure if this medicine is right for you?

Discuss your symptoms and treatment with a doctor online.

2. What you need to know before you use Qutenza

Do not use Qutenza

  • if you are allergic to capsaicin (also found in chili peppers) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before you start using Qutenza.

Do not use Qutenza on any part of the head or face.

Do not use Qutenza on damaged skin or open wounds.

Do not touch Qutenza or other materials that have come into contact with the treated areas because it may cause burning and itching. Do not touch your eyes, mouth, or other sensitive areas as it may cause irritation and pain. If this happens, rinse or flush with cold water. Inhaling or breathing in close to the Qutenza patches may cause coughing, throat irritation, or sneezing.

It is common for the skin to burn or become red and irritated during treatment with Qutenza and for a short time after. Due to pain, your blood pressure may rise, so your doctor will take your blood pressure several times during treatment. If you are in a lot of pain, your doctor may apply local cold or give you a pain medicine. If you experience very intense pain, talk to your doctor to have the patch removed.

Generally, mild, temporary changes in the ability to tell if an object is hot or sharp have been seen after the use of capsaicin.

If you have unstable or uncontrolled high blood pressure or have had heart problems, your doctor will weigh the risk of you having heart-related side effects or changes in blood pressure due to the possible stress caused by the procedure before treating you with Qutenza.

Children and adolescents

Qutenza is not recommended for the treatment of patients under 18 years of age.

Other medicines and Qutenza

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. Qutenza works locally on the skin and is not expected to affect other medicines.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Qutenza should be used with caution if you are pregnant. Before starting treatment with Qutenza, breastfeeding should be stopped. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine.

Driving and using machines

No studies on the effects of Qutenza on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. When using Qutenza, only very small amounts of the active substance are found in the blood and for a short time. Consequently, it is unlikely that Qutenza will have a direct effect on your ability to concentrate or react.

The Qutenza cleaning gel contains butylhydroxyanisole

The Qutenza cleaning gel may cause local skin reactions (such as contact dermatitis) or eye and mucous membrane irritation because it contains butylhydroxyanisole.

3. How to use Qutenza

Only your doctor or nurse under their supervision can apply Qutenza.

No more than 4 patches can be used at the same time.

Qutenza is applied to the skin.

Your doctor or nurse will mark the most painful areas of your skin with a pen or marker.

Before applying the Qutenza patches to your skin, the treatment area(s) should be washed with water and soap and dried well. Hair from the areas to be treated will be cut.

Before placing the Qutenza patch on your skin, your doctor or nurse may apply a local anesthetic gel or cream or give you an oral pain medicine to reduce the possible burning sensation. The gel or cream should be removed before applying Qutenza and the skin should be washed and dried completely.

Your doctor or nurse may wear gloves and sometimes a mask and protective glasses when handling the Qutenza patches. Do not inhale or breathe in close to the Qutenza patches because they may cause coughing or sneezing.

Qutenza can be cut into smaller pieces to fit the treatment area. Your doctor or nurse will remove the patches after 30 minutes if you are being treated for neuropathic pain in the feet or 60 minutes if the treatment is applied to other parts of the body.

It may take between 1 and 3 weeks before you notice pain relief with Qutenza. If after this time you are still in a lot of pain, talk to your doctor.

If necessary, treatment with Qutenza can be repeated at intervals of 90 days. If you experience insufficient pain relief or the pain comes back before, talk to your doctor.

You may receive pain medicines for pain caused by Qutenza treatment.

It is common for the skin to burn or become red and irritated during treatment with Qutenza.

If the treatment is applied to the feet, you may wear disposable socks over the Qutenza patches.

Your doctor or nurse may place a bandage over the Qutenza patch to keep it in place against your skin.

Do not try to remove the patch yourself. Your doctor or nurse will remove it.

After Qutenza treatment, your doctor or nurse will clean the treated area with the cleaning gel contained in a tube included in the pack. The cleaning gel will be left on the skin for 1 minute and then removed to eliminate any remaining medicine from the skin after treatment. Once the cleaning gel is removed, the area will be gently washed with water and soap.

Do not touch the patch with your hands.

Do not touch your eyes, mouth, or other sensitive areas.If you accidentally touch the Qutenza patch or the treated skin before the cleaning gel is applied, you may feel burning or itching. Call your doctor immediately.

Do not take the Qutenza patches out of the clinic.

Do not use the Qutenza patches at home.

If you use Qutenza for longer than you should

Overdose is unlikely to occur. However, if Qutenza is applied for longer than it should, you may experience severe reactions at the application site such as pain, redness, and itching.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medicine questions

Started taking the medicine and have questions?

Discuss your symptoms and treatment with a doctor online.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If any of the following happen, talk to your doctor immediately:

  • If you feel that your heart is beating very fast, very slow, or beating irregularly.
    • Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
  • Severe redness at the patch application site, blistering/exudation of the skin, skin that becomes very painful to the touch, swollen, wet, or shiny. In a small number of cases, these may be signs of a burn that requires urgent medical attention.
    • Frequency not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

Talk to your doctorif the following side effects occur or get worse:

Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

  • Redness or pain at the patch application site for more than a day.

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

  • Itching, hives, blisters, swelling, dryness at the patch application site.
  • Burning sensation, high blood pressure, coughing, nausea, itching, pain in the limbs, muscle spasms, swelling of the limbs.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

  • Hives, tingling, inflammation, increased or decreased skin sensitivity, skin reaction, irritation, bruising at the patch application site.
  • Decreased sense of taste, decreased sensitivity in the limbs, eye irritation, throat irritation, shingles.

Frequency not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

  • Accidental exposure (including eye pain, eye irritation, throat, and cough).

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storing Qutenza

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Qutenza transdermal patch: Store flat in the original pouch and carton. Store below 25°C.

Cleaning gel: Store below 25°C.

After opening the pouch, Qutenza should be applied within 2 hours.

Disposal of used and unused Qutenza patches.

If you touch these components, you may feel itching in your fingers. Your doctor or nurse will put them in a polyethylene bag and dispose of them safely. The Qutenza patches and treatment-related materials should be disposed of properly.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Qutenza contains

The active substance is capsaicin. Each patch of 280 cm2 contains a total of 179 mg of capsaicin or 640 micrograms of capsaicin per cm2 of patch (8% w/w).

The other ingredients of the Qutenza patch are:

Matrix:

silicone adhesives

diethylene glycol monoethyl ether

silicone oil

ethylcellulose N50 (E462)

Backing layer:

polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil, with the inner side siliconized

printing ink containing pigment White 6

Removable protective liner(protective liner)

polyester film with a fluoropolymer coating

The Qutenza patch is supplied with a tube of cleaning gel that does not contain any active substances.

The cleaning gel contains:

macrogol 300

carbomer

purified water

sodium hydroxide (E524)

disodium edetate

butylhydroxyanisole (E320)

What Qutenza looks like and contents of the pack

Qutenza is a transdermal patch that is applied to the skin.

Each patch measures 14 cm x 20 cm (280 cm2) and consists of an adhesive surface that contains the active substance and a backing layer. The adhesive surface is covered by a transparent, unprinted, and diagonally cut protective liner that is removed before applying the patch. The outer surface of the backing layer is printed with «capsaicin 8%».

Each carton of Qutenza contains 1 or 2 pouches and 1 tube of cleaning gel (50 g). Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Grünenthal GmbH

Zieglerstraße 6

52078 Aachen

Germany

Date of last revision of this leaflet:

Other sources of information

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: http://www.ema.europa.eu, and on the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) web site http://www.aemps.gob.es/.

This information is intended only for healthcare professionals.

The package leaflet is included with the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) or the full prescribing information.

Online doctors for QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH

Discuss questions about QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH, including use, safety considerations and prescription review, subject to medical assessment and local regulations.

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Doctor

Daniel Cichi

Family medicine 24 years exp.

Dr Daniel Cichi is a family medicine doctor with over 20 years of clinical experience. He provides online consultations for adults, supporting patients with acute symptoms, chronic conditions, and everyday health concerns that require timely medical guidance. His background includes work in emergency care, ambulance services, and family medicine, which allows him to assess symptoms quickly, identify warning signs, and help patients choose the safest next steps – whether that means home care, treatment adjustment, or in-person evaluation. Patients commonly consult Dr Daniel Cichi for: 

  • acute symptoms: fever, infections, flu-like illness, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath;
  • chest discomfort, palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, and blood pressure concerns;
  • digestive problems: abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, reflux;
  • sexually transmitted infections, erectile dysfunction;
  • muscle, joint, and back pain, minor injuries, post-traumatic symptoms;
  • chronic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, weight loss, hair loss;
  • review and interpretation of lab tests, imaging reports, and medical documents;
  • medication review and treatment adjustment;
  • medical advice while travelling or living abroad;
  • second opinions and guidance on whether in-person care is needed.

Dr Cichi’s consultations are structured and practical. He focuses on clear explanations, risk assessment, and actionable recommendations, helping patients understand their symptoms and make informed decisions about their health.

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€55
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Doctor

Pedro Alvarez Guerrero

Psychiatry 8 years exp.

Dr. Alvarez Guerrero graduated in Medicine from the San Pablo CEU University in Madrid. He subsequently completed his specialization in Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Hospital Sant Joan de Deu in Manresa (Barcelona), where over the course of four years he acquired solid training in the bio-psycho-social model, developing his expertise across the different areas of mental health.

During his residency, he undertook training placements at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, where he trained for several months in the psychiatric consultation-liaison unit. He also completed another placement at Hospital de Cruces in Bilbao, in the first-episode psychosis unit.

Throughout his professional career, Dr. Alvarez Guerrero has sought to complement his medical training with psychotherapeutic tools that allow him to address mental health disorders from a comprehensive perspective. For this reason, he specialized in Brief Strategic Psychotherapy through the Spanish Society of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, an approach focused on targeted and effective interventions.

With the aim of deepening his knowledge and promoting the rational use of treatments, he also completed a Master’s Degree in Psychopharmacology at the University of Valencia, which has enabled him to rigorously integrate the most up-to-date scientific evidence into the clinical management of psychopharmacological treatments.

He has also shown a particular interest in the field of legal psychiatry, completing an Official Master’s Degree in Legal, Forensic and Criminological Psychopathology at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. This training has allowed him to acquire the necessary competencies for the preparation of psychiatric expert reports in judicial and medico-legal contexts, thereby broadening the scope of his professional activity.

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€130
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Doctor

Hocine Lokchiri

General medicine 21 years exp.

Dr. Hocine Lokchiri is a French consultant with over 20 years of experience in General and Emergency Medicine. He works with adults and children, helping patients with urgent symptoms, infections, sudden health changes and everyday medical concerns that require timely evaluation. His background includes clinical practice in France, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, which allows him to navigate different healthcare systems and manage a wide range of conditions with confidence. Patients value his calm, structured approach, clear explanations and evidence-based decision-making.

Online consultations with Dr. Lokchiri are suitable for many situations when someone needs quick medical guidance, reassurance or a clear next step. Common reasons for booking include:

  • fever, chills, fatigue and viral symptoms
  • cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, breathing discomfort
  • bronchitis and mild asthma flare-ups
  • nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, digestive infections
  • rashes, allergic reactions, redness, insect bites
  • muscle or joint pain, mild injuries, sprains
  • headache, dizziness, migraine symptoms
  • stress-related symptoms, sleep disturbances
  • questions about test results and treatment plans
  • management of chronic conditions in stable phases
Many patients reach out when symptoms appear suddenly and cause concern, when a child becomes unwell unexpectedly, when a rash changes or spreads, or when it’s unclear whether an in-person examination is necessary. His emergency medicine background is particularly valuable online, helping patients understand risk levels, identify warning signs and choose safe next steps.

Some situations are not suitable for online care. If a patient has loss of consciousness, severe chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, major trauma or symptoms suggesting a stroke or heart attack, he will advise seeking immediate local emergency services. This improves safety and ensures patients receive the right level of care.

Dr. Lokchiri’s professional training includes:

  • Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
  • Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (BLS/ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)
  • eFAST and critical care transthoracic echocardiography
  • aviation medicine
He is an active member of several professional organisations, including the French Society of Emergency Medicine (SFMU), the French Association for Emergency Physicians (AMUF) and the Swiss Society of Emergency and Rescue Medicine (SGNOR). In consultations, he works with clarity and precision, helping patients understand their symptoms, possible risks and the safest treatment options.
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€58
5.0 (5)
Doctor

Tomasz Grzelewski

Dermatology 21 years exp.

Dr Tomasz Grzelewski is an MD, PhD specialist in allergy, paediatrics, general practice and sports medicine, with a clinical focus on dermatology, endocrinology, allergology and sports-related health. He has more than 20 years of clinical experience and completed his medical training at the Medical University of Łódź, where he defended his PhD thesis with distinction. His doctoral research was recognised by the Polish Society of Allergology for its innovative contribution to the field. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of allergic and paediatric conditions, including modern allergen desensitisation techniques. For five years, Dr Grzelewski served as the Head of two paediatric departments in Poland, managing complex clinical cases and leading multidisciplinary teams. He also worked in medical centres in the United Kingdom, gaining experience across both primary care and specialist environments. With over a decade of telemedicine experience, he has provided online consultations across Europe and is valued for his clear, structured and evidence-based medical guidance. Dr Grzelewski is actively involved in clinical programmes focused on modern anti-allergic therapies. As a Principal Investigator, he leads research projects on sublingual and oral allergen desensitisation, supporting evidence-based progress in allergy treatment for both children and adults. In addition to his background in allergology and paediatrics, he completed dermatology studies through the Cambridge Education Group (Royal College of Physicians of Ireland) and a Clinical Endocrinology course at Harvard Medical School. This advanced training enhances his ability to manage skin manifestations of allergies, atopic conditions, urticaria, endocrine-related symptoms and complex immunological reactions. Patients commonly seek his care for: 

  • seasonal and perennial allergies
  • allergic rhinitis and chronic nasal symptoms
  • asthma and breathing difficulties
  • food and medication allergies
  • urticaria, atopic dermatitis and skin reactions
  • recurrent infections in children
  • sports-related health questions
  • general family medicine concerns

Dr Tomasz Grzelewski is known for his clear communication style, structured medical approach and ability to explain treatment options in a concise and accessible way. His multidisciplinary background across allergy, paediatrics, dermatology and endocrinology allows him to provide safe, up-to-date and comprehensive care for patients of all ages.

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€80
5.0 (1055)
Doctor

Andrei Popov

General medicine 7 years exp.

Dr. Andrei Popov is a family physician with specialized training in the management of chronic pain. He provides video consultations for adults in Spain and across Europe: whether you have been living with pain for months that no one has been able to properly explain, or you need to resolve a health issue without waiting weeks for an appointment.

His approach is clear: to listen, organize your case, and provide you with a practical roadmap based on evidence-based medicine and adapted to your medical history and personal needs.

Pain: how he can help

  • Chronic pain (more than 3 months
  • Migraine and recurrent or high-intensity headaches
  •  Neck, lower back, back and joint pain
  •  Post-traumatic pain after injuries or surgeries
  •  Pain of neurological origin: neuralgia, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia

General medicine

  • Frequent respiratory infections (cold, flu, persistent cough)
  • Hypertension, diabetes and metabolic disorders
  • Review of laboratory tests and MRI/CT reports (explained in clear language)
  • Preventive medicine and health monitoring
  • Second opinions and treatment adjustments (when clinically appropriate)

What the consultation is like
 Each session lasts up to 30 minutes. We review symptoms, medical history, medications and any tests you provide, and you finish the consultation with a clear treatment plan, defined next steps, and criteria to understand when follow-up may be needed. If warning signs are detected, he will clearly advise whether you need in-person care or urgent medical attention.

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€80

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a prescription required for QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH?
QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH requires a prescription in Spain. You can check with a doctor online whether this medicine may be appropriate for your situation.
What is the active substance in QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH?
The active ingredient in QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH is capsaicin. This information helps identify medicines with the same composition but different brand names.
How much does QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH cost in pharmacies?
The average pharmacy price for QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH is around 266.84 EUR. Prices may vary depending on the manufacturer and dosage form.
Who manufactures QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH?
QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH is manufactured by Grünenthal Gmbh. Pharmacy brands and packaging may differ depending on the distributor.
Which doctors can assess the use of QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH online?
Doctors such as Family doctors, Psychiatrists, Dermatologists, Cardiologists, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, Pulmonologists, Nephrologists, Rheumatologists, Hematologists, Infectious disease physicians, Allergists, Geriatricians, Paediatricians, Oncologists may assess whether QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH is appropriate, depending on your situation and local regulations. You can book an online consultation to discuss your symptoms and possible next steps.
What are the alternatives to QUTENZA 179 mg CUTANEOUS PATCH?
Other medicines with the same active substance (capsaicin) include ALACAPSIN 0.075% CREAM, CAPSICIN 0.75 mg/g CREAM, DOLBAN 0.75 mg/g cream. These may have different brand names or formulations but contain the same therapeutic ingredient. Always consult a doctor before switching or starting a new medicine.
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