FDA approves new post-shingles attack drug

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has approved a medicated skin patch that relieves the pain associated with shingles.

The FDA said the Qutenza (capsaicin) 8 percent patch treats pain that occurs after a shingles attack -- post-herpetic neuralgia. Shingles is an outbreak of rash or blisters produced by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Officials said anyone who once had chickenpox is at risk of shingles.

PHN is a condition affecting nerve fibers that can cause excruciating pain, the FDA said. Up to 15 percent of patients who suffer shingles experience PHN and the complication is even more common in elderly patients.

Qutenza contains capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers. Although there are over-the-counter products available with lower concentrations of capsaicin, Qutenza is the first pure, concentrated, synthetic capsaicin-containing prescription drug to undergo FDA review.

FDA officials said Qutenza must be applied to the skin by a healthcare professional since placement of the patch can be quite painful, requiring use of a local topical anesthetic, as well as additional pain relief such as opioid pain relievers.

The patch is manufactured by Lohmann Therapie-Systems AD of Andernach, Germany, and distributed by NeurogesX Inc. of San Mateo, Calif.