capsaicin (Qutenza)

following a full submission:

capsaicin cutaneous patch (Qutenza®) is accepted for restricted use within NHSScotland.

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

SMC restriction: alone or in combination with other medicinal products for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients who have not achieved adequate pain relief from, or have not tolerated, conventional first- and second-line treatments.

In a double-blind, phase III study, capsaicin cutaneous patch, compared with placebo, significantly improved average daily pain score by a small amount in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

SMC has previously accepted capsaicin for treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in non-diabetic adults (SMC673/11). This advice remains valid.