• Joy Mou, Florence Paillard, Barry Turnbull, Jeremiah Trudeau, Malcolm Stoker, and Nathaniel P Katz.
• *Analgesic Solutions, Natick ‡LLX Solutions, Watertown §Biobridges, Wellesley, MA †FocusBiocom, Durango, CO ∥Astellas Pharma Global Development, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands.
• Clin J Pain. 2014 Apr 1;30(4):286-94.

IntroductionQutenza (capsaicin) 8% patch is used to treat various neuropathic indications, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and human immunodeficiency virus-associated neuropathy (HIV-AN).ObjectivesWe conducted a meta-analysis of Qutenza studies to describe clinical phenomena of effects of Qutenza treatment better, such as onset and duration of pain relief, and the need for retreatments.MethodsThe meta-analyses combined individual patient data (1313 participants with PHN and 801 with HIV-AN) from 7 completed randomized, double-blind, controlled studies. Studies had similar designs, and all used the Qutenza patch (8% capsaicin) and a low-dose control patch (0.04% capsaicin). A 30% response was defined as a ≥30% decrease in mean pain intensity score during week 2 to end of follow-up; complete pain relief was defined as an average pain intensity ≤1 during week 2 to end of follow-up. Duration of response was calculated using the data from long-term studies as the time from onset of response to offset of response, retreatment, or end of follow-up (whichever occurred first).ResultsOverall 44% of PHN and 41% of HIV-AN patients had a 30% response, and 11% and 7%, respectively, had complete pain relief 2 to 12 weeks after treatment with Qutenza. The mean (median) onset of response to Qutenza was 3.4 (1) days for PHN and 6.5 (4) days for HIV-AN (delayed due to an initial increase in discomfort). The mean (median) duration of response after 1 Qutenza treatment was 5 (3) months. Of the patients followed-up for 12 months, 40% PHN and 36% HIV-AN patients had a 30% response, and 9% and 10%, respectively, had complete pain relief from week 2 to end of follow-up.ConclusionsQutenza is effective in a high proportion of patients. In patients who respond to Qutenza, analgesia starts within a few days of treatment and lasts on average 5 months.

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