How a Different Treatment Approach May Provide Up to 3 Months of Pain Relief for People With Diabetic Nerve Pain of the Feet

Over 37 million people are living with diabetes. One of the consequences is diabetic nerve pain, a type of nerve damage, most often affecting the feet. QUTENZA^® (capsaicin) 8% topical system is approved for diabetic nerve pain of the feet. QUTENZA^® comes in the form a patch and works by targeting the nerves responsible for pain. Managing diabetic nerve pain can be complex, which is why a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach is often needed. Today we’re sitting down with endocrinologist Dr. Jia, podiatrist Dr. Teichman, and interventional pain management specialist Dr. Durbhakula to learn how they are helping patients understand the complications that can arise from their diabetes, recognize the pain in their feet, and feel confident talking to their providers about available treatment options. QUTENZA^® is a different treatment that can be used for patients that have tried and failed multiple therapies, have experienced side effects from oral pain medication, and want to avoid the use of opioids, or are just beginning to experience diabetic nerve pain.

QUTENZA^® (capsaicin) 8% topical system is a topical system that works differently and is the first FDA-approved topical treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet in adults.

Please see Important Safety Information below and Full Prescribing Information. QUTENZA^® A is applied for 30-minutes at your healthcare provider’s office. It has been shown to reduce diabetic nerve pain of the feet for up to three months and it can be used with or without other medications.

We’ll also meet Dona Marie who experienced diabetic nerve pain for almost a decade, trying and failing multiple therapies and seeing a variety of physicians before Dr. Teichman stepped in to help. Dona Marie was treated with QUTENZA^® a different treatment approach that has shown to provide up to 3 months of pain relief for people with diabetic nerve pain of the feet.

Important Safety Information

INDICATION

QUTENZA® (capsaicin) 8% topical system is indicated in adults for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not dispense QUTENZA to patients for self-administration or handling. Only physicians or healthcare professionals under the close supervision of a physician are to administer and handle QUTENZA.

When administering QUTENZA, it is important to follow the procedures in the Important Dosage and Administration Instructions in the US Prescribing Information.

In patients treated for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet, a careful examination of the feet should be undertaken prior to each application of QUTENZA to detect skin lesions related to underlying neuropathy or vascular insufficiency.

Contraindications

None

Warnings and Precautions

• Unintended exposure to capsaicin can cause severe irritation of eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and skin in healthcare professionals, patients, and others. Healthcare professionals should ensure that the recommended procedures and protective measures are used when administering QUTENZA.
• For healthcare professionals, wear nitrile gloves when administering QUTENZA and avoid unnecessary contact with items in the room, including items that the patient may later have contact with, such as horizontal surfaces and bedsheets.
• Do not apply QUTENZA to the patient’s face, eyes, mouth, nose, or scalp to avoid risk of exposure to eyes or mucous membranes. Accidental exposure to the eyes and mucous membranes can occur from touching QUTENZA, or items exposed to capsaicin, and then touching the eyes and mucous membranes. If irritation of eyes or mucous membranes occurs, flush eyes and mucous membranes with cool water. Remove the affected individual (healthcare professional or patient) from the vicinity of QUTENZA.
• Aerosolization of capsaicin can occur upon rapid removal of QUTENZA. Therefore, remove QUTENZA gently and slowly by rolling the adhesive side inward. Inhalation of airborne capsaicin can result in coughing or sneezing. Administer QUTENZA in a well-ventilated treatment area. Provide supportive medical care if shortness of breath develops. If irritation of airways occurs, remove the affected individual from the vicinity of QUTENZA. If respiratory irritation worsens or does not resolve, do not re-expose the affected healthcare professional or patient to QUTENZA.
• If skin not intended to be treated is exposed to QUTENZA, apply Cleansing Gel for one minute and wipe off with dry gauze. After the Cleansing Gel has been wiped off, wash the area with soap and water.
• Patients may experience substantial procedural pain and burning upon application and following removal of QUTENZA. Prepare to treat acute pain during and following the application procedure with local cooling (such as a cold pack) and/or appropriate analgesic medication.
• Transient increases in blood pressure may occur during and shortly after QUTENZA treatment. Blood pressure changes were associated with treatment-related increases in pain. Monitor blood pressure and provide adequate support for treatment-related pain. Patients with unstable or poorly controlled hypertension, or a recent history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, may be at an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects. Consider these factors prior to initiating QUTENZA treatment.
• Reductions in sensory function have been reported following administration of QUTENZA. Decreases in sensory function are generally minor and temporary. All patients with pre-existing sensory deficits should be clinically assessed for signs of sensory deterioration or loss prior to each application of QUTENZA. If sensory deterioration or loss is detected, or pre-existing sensory deficit worsens, continued use of QUTENZA treatment should be reconsidered.

Adverse Reactions

In all controlled clinical trials, adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of patients in the QUTENZA group, and at an incidence at least 1% greater than in the control group, were application site erythema, application site pain, and application site pruritus.

Adverse Event Reporting

Physicians, other healthcare professionals, and patients are encouraged to voluntarily report adverse events involving drugs or medical devices. To make a report you can:

• In the US, visit fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088; or
• For QUTENZA, you may also call 1-877-900-6479 and select option 1, or press zero on your keypad to talk to an operator to direct your call.

Please see full Prescribing Information.