The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted capsaicin (Qutenza®) for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in non-diabetic adults either alone or in combination with other medicinal products for pain.  Treatment should be under the supervision of a specialist in pain management.

The use of this product is restricted to adults with post-herpetic neuralgia who have not achieved adequate pain relief with or who have not tolerated conventional first- and second-line agents.  The company did not submit evidence relating to its use in other neuropathies and therefore the SMC was unable to approve its use in these patient groups.

For more detailed information on the evidence submitted by the manufacturer and considered by the SMC when making their recommendation, please see the drug advice at the link below.