qutenza - Medication Listings

QUTENZA (capsaicin) 8% topical system contains capsaicin in a localized dermal delivery system. The capsaicin in QUTENZA is a synthetic equivalent of the naturally occurring compound found in chili peppers. Capsaicin is soluble in alcohol, acetone, and ethyl acetate and very slightly soluble in water. QUTENZA is a single-use topical system stored in a foil pouch. Each QUTENZA is 14 cm x 20 cm (280 cm 2 ) and consists of a polyester backing film coated with a drug-containing silicone adhesive mixture and covered with a removable polyester release liner. The backing film is imprinted with “capsaicin 8%”. Each QUTENZA contains a total of 179 mg of capsaicin (8% in adhesive, 80 mg per gram of adhesive) or 640 micrograms (mcg) of capsaicin per square cm of topical system. The empirical formula is C 18 H 27 NO 3 , with a molecular weight of 305.42. The chemical compound capsaicin [(E)-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide] is an activating ligand for transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor (TRPV1) and it has the following structure: FIGURE 1: Structural Formula of Capsaicin QUTENZA contains the following inactive ingredients: diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dimethicone, ethyl cellulose, polyester film, silicone adhesive, and white ink. QUTENZA is supplied with a Cleansing Gel which is used to remove residual capsaicin from the skin after treatment. Cleansing Gel consists of the following ingredients: butylated hydroxyanisole, carbomer copolymer, edetate disodium, polyethylene glycol, purified water, and sodium hydroxide. Structural Formula of Capsaicin