What Is QUTENZA® & How This Innovative Patch May Finally Relieve Nerve Pain

If you’ve ever lived with nerve pain, you know it’s not the kind of pain you can just “push through.” It burns, tingles, stabs, or buzzes and it can turn simple things like walking, sleeping, or even wearing shoes into a daily struggle. For people dealing with nerve pain caused by diabetes or shingles, one treatment you may not have heard much about is QUTENZA®, a non-opioid pain treatment that may be the solution for lasting relief.

What Is QUTENZA® & How Does It Help with Nerve Pain?

QUTENZA® (capsaicin 8% topical system) is FDA-approved to treat postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain that lingers after shingles) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet. It’s a prescription-strength capsaicin patch that’s applied in your doctor’s office to target nerve pain directly at the source with no pills required. 

Many patients describe it as a refreshing alternative to daily medications or injections, something that can help turn the volume down on nerve pain for months at a time. Rather than masking symptoms, QUTENZA® helps reset the pain signals your damaged nerves are constantly sending to the brain, helping you finally get back to normal movement and better sleep.

How Does QUTENZA® Work?

QUTENZA® is capsaicin, the active ingredient that makes chili peppers feel hot. In this medical form, it’s used to retrain the way your pain nerves behave.

When your nerves are damaged from shingles, neuropathy, diabetes, or another condition, they often become “stuck” in overdrive. They keep sending pain messages to your brain even when nothing’s wrong. QUTENZA® works by flooding those nerves with a controlled dose of capsaicin, which overstimulates them for a short time and then causes them to calm down. 

Once the patch is removed, the treated nerves start sending fewer pain signals. This leads to noticeable relief that lasts for weeks or even months. Most patients have the patch applied for about 30 minutes (for foot pain) or up to an hour (for post-shingles pain), and relief can last up to three months, making it an effective option for neuropathic pain management without the need for systemic medication.

What Is QUTENZA® Used For?

QUTENZA® is designed to relieve nerve pain caused by damaged or overactive nerves, especially when other treatments haven’t worked well. It’s FDA-approved to treat two main types of neuropathic pain:

• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) – burning, tingling, or stabbing pain in the feet caused by diabetes
• Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) – lingering nerve pain that continues after a shingles outbreak has healed

It can be a good option if you’re tired of relying on daily medications, numbing creams, or injections that only provide short-term relief. It’s also considered safe for many people who manage multiple health conditions, since QUTENZA® doesn't intereact with most other medications and acts only on the treated area.

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and skin condition to determine whether QUTENZA® is the right fit for you.

QUTENZA® Patch vs. Capsaicin Cream

You may think QUTENZA® is just a stronger version of the capsaicin cream you can buy at the drugstore, but that’s not exactly the case.

• QUTENZA® patch: Applied by medical professionals using 8% capsaicin which is more than 100 times stronger than over-the-counter creams.
• Capsaicin creams: Usually 0.025–0.1% strength and need to be used several times a day to offer mild, temporary relief.

QUTENZA® goes far deeper to calm irritated nerves, which is why it must be applied under medical supervision as part of an advanced nerve desensitization treatment plan.

QUTENZA® Side Effects

QUTENZA® is generally safe and well tolerated, with most people experiencing only mild, short-term warmth or redness where the patch is applied. These sensations usually fade within a day or two, and your provider can use numbing cream or cooling packs to keep you comfortable.

Serious reactions are rare, but your provider will review all possible side effects and make sure the treatment is safe for you. For a full list of possible side effects and what to expect during treatment, visit our QUTENZA® for Nerve Pain service page.

QUTENZA® Cost and Insurance Coverage

If you’re wondering how much QUTENZA® costs, it depends on your insurance and where you receive treatment. However, the good news is that most major insurance plans, including Medicare, often cover QUTENZA® for approved conditions like diabetic neuropathy or post-shingles nerve pain. If you don’t have coverage, your provider can help check manufacturer savings programs or assistance options and help you find out QUTENZA®’s cost without insurance.

QUTENZA® in Queens & Brooklyn

If you’re living with burning, tingling, or shooting nerve pain, 

At Advanced Medical Care, our neurology and internal medicine specialists understand how chronic nerve pain can impact every part of your life from walking and working to simply resting at night. We don’t just focus on the pain itself; we look at the underlying causes and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Serving patients in Forest Hills, Queens, and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, our goal is to help you move more freely and feel more like yourself again. Call us today at 347-571-9389 (Queens) or 929-552-2973 (Brooklyn), or request an appointment onlne to learn how QUTENZA® can help you find lasting relief from nerve pain.

Frequently Asked Questions About QUTENZA®

Is QUTENZA® covered by insurance?

Yes. Most major insurance plans cover QUTENZA® when it’s prescribed for approved conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy or post-shingles nerve pain. Because it’s a prescription, in-office treatment, coverage is usually handled under your medical benefits rather than your pharmacy plan. Your provider’s team can verify your benefits, estimate your out-of-pocket costs, and check for manufacturer savings programs if needed.

Does Medicare cover QUTENZA®?

In many cases, yes. Medicare Part B often covers QUTENZA® when your doctor determines it’s medically necessary for conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia or diabetic neuropathy. The treatment is billed as an outpatient procedure, so your exact cost will depend on your plan’s deductible and coinsurance. Your clinic can confirm coverage and explain what portion, if any, you’d need to pay.

How long does pain relief from QUTENZA® last?

Most people experience relief that lasts up to three months after a single session. Treatments can be repeated every few months if your pain returns.

Can I use QUTENZA® at home?

QUTENZA® is a prescription-only patch that must be applied by a trained healthcare professional in a medical office. This ensures it’s placed correctly, monitored safely, and removed properly to avoid irritation.

Is QUTENZA® a cure for neuropathy?

QUTENZA® isn’t a cure, but it can significantly reduce the symptoms of nerve pain and improve quality of life. Many patients find they can walk, sleep, and move more comfortably after treatment.

Does QUTENZA® require a prescription?

Yes. QUTENZA® is a prescription-only treatment that must be applied by a licensed healthcare professional in a clinical setting. It isn’t available for home use or over the counter. Your provider will determine if you’re a good candidate and write a prescription for treatment, which is then performed in the office as part of a supervised non-opioid pain management plan.