Qutenza for critical ischaemia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of Qutenza (topical capsaicin 8%) in the treatment of chronic pain from critical ischaemia in patients with end stage renal failure
IRAS ID
89186
Contact name
Miss Emma L Aitken
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde,Research and Development Management Office
Eudract number
2012-001586-32
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Research summary
Critical ischaemia is pain at rest as the result of poor blood flow and lack of oxygen being delivered to the tissues. It normally affects the hands and feet and can be very debilitating. It is particularly common and difficult to treat in patients with end stage renal failure. Patients with renal failure are often high risk of any operative intervention which might help the pain. Often the only treatment options are painkillers. Unfortunately however, the commonly used painkillers, for example morphine, are known to cause worse side effects in patients with renal failure (drowsiness, confusion etc.). Qutenza (topical capsaicin 8%) is a new treatment made from chilli peppers which is applied to the skin as a patch and works directly at the nerve endings in the skin to prevent pain. It therefore should not have the systemic side effects of other drugs. It has been demonstrated to be beneficial in other painful conditions for example post-shingles pain and nerve pain from HIV. It has never been used for critical ischaemia before. We propose to investigate the efficacy of Qutenza in treating patients with end stage renal failure and painful ischaemia. We will recruit 20 patients with painful ischaemia and treat them with Qutenza. We will follow them up for 12 weeks and monitor the change in their pain scores.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
12/WS/0280
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2012
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion