Summary of "QUTENZA® Patient Testimonial From Anthony"
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Background: Anthony, a 63-year-old, shares his love for cooking and family, and discusses his diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in 2000, which led to symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
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Symptoms and Challenges: Despite managing his diabetes, Anthony experienced worsening pain in his feet, described as bee stings and glass shards, severely limiting his activities and mobility.
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Treatment Journey: After being diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, Anthony was introduced to QUTENZA®, a topical patch treatment. Initial treatments had little effect, but by the third session, he began to notice significant improvements.
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Life Transformation: With pain management from QUTENZA®, Anthony regained mobility and was able to enjoy cooking, walking, and spending active time with his grandchildren, contrasting his earlier reliance on a scooter.
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Important Safety Information): The transcript provides critical safety information regarding the application of QUTENZA®, including potential side effects and the necessity for professional administration, emphasizing the need for medical supervision.
Did You Know
Anthony described the initial sensation of the QUTENZA® treatment as feeling like "stepping into a warm bath." This contrasts with the painful experiences he had been facing due to diabetic neuropathy, highlighting the treatment's initial soothing effect before he began to see significant improvements in his condition
Transcript
I love cooking. I love going to the driving range. I love spending time with my family. I love creating stuff. My name is Anthony, and I'm 63 years old. I cook every day, 365 days a year. In the year 2000, I began to have symptoms where I was just thirsty a lot. I told my doctor, and sure enough, he ran some tests and came back with the diagnosis that I was type 2 diabetic. They finally got my diabetes under control, but I began to still have symptoms even after the diabetes was under control. It started out very subtle and progressively got worse to the point where I couldn't stand for long periods of time. I couldn't drive because I didn't know when these attacks were going to start. It felt like I was being stung by bees, and then it felt like somebody was sticking glass or something in my feet, and it was painful.
I took my grandkids to an amusement park, and my feet felt so bad that I didn't want to have to get an electric scooter. I still consider myself to be a relatively young man, although I'm 63, and I don't want my grandkids to remember me like that. When I was going to the doctors, they prescribed medication to block the nerve pain. When that wasn't working, I was still taking the medication and adding over-the-counter medications. I tried to come up with my own remedies to help. I would soak my feet every day; I would even put ice in them. I just got used to altering my life around my feet. I was really confined to home; I would just stay home. My internist diagnosed me with diabetic neuropathy and told me that I needed to go see a pain management specialist. The nurse practitioner told me about another treatment option and asked if I would be willing to try it, and I told her absolutely yes. She told me it was a patch. I asked, “A patch that they put on your feet?” She said it would require multiple treatments. So, they set me up with my first treatment, prepared my feet, and put the medication on.
I have to say about that medication that it feels like you're stepping into a warm bath when it's on. Initially, during my first treatment, I just had that warm sensation, but I still had the pins-and-needles sensation. I really didn't notice much difference after the first treatment. Then I got the second treatment, and I felt a little bit of something, but I wasn't sure. It wasn't until that third treatment that I could notice a huge difference. I wasn't limping anymore; my feet actually felt better. It got to the point where I was looking forward to the next treatment. I wanted to see what it could do. As the treatments progressed, my feet felt better, I felt better, and I was able to do things that I wasn't able to do before.
Now that my pain is being managed, I can cook, I can bake, and I can do it all standing. Before this treatment, I was confined to home; I didn't drive. I did probably everything from a chair, and now I'm standing. I can go for walks and do the things that I like to do. I can spend time being active with my grandchildren and my children. I went to a bigger amusement park, and I had on my tennis shoes. I walked the whole park. My grandsons were happy, and I was happy. That’s the way I want them to remember me—not the granddad in the scooter.
Cenza capsacin 8% topical system is indicated in adults for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet.
Important safety information: Treatment with Cenza must be performed only by a healthcare provider. You should never apply or remove Cenza yourself. Do not touch Cenza or items exposed to capsaicin. Touching Cenza and then accidentally touching other areas of your body can cause severe irritation of the eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and skin. Do not touch your eyes or other unintended target areas during the Cenza application. Cenza is not for use near eyes or mucous membranes. Do not sniff or inhale near Cenza, as this may cause you to cough or sneeze. If irritation of the eyes or airways occurs, or if any side effects become severe, notify your doctor immediately.
The treated area may be sensitive to heat, for example, hot showers, baths, direct sunlight, or vigorous exercise, for a few days following treatment. You may experience substantial pain during the treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you're experiencing pain; a cool compress or medicine for the pain can be provided to help lessen your discomfort. Cenza can cause serious side effects, including pain and increases in blood pressure during or right after treatment. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure during treatment with Cenza. If you have high blood pressure that is not well controlled by medicine, or have had recent heart problems, stroke, or other vascular problems, you may be at increased risk and should discuss with your doctor whether Cenza is right for you. Tell your doctor if you have reduced sensation in the feet; you may notice that you have less feeling for hot or sharp pain where Cenza was applied, but this is usually minor and temporary.
The most common side effects of Cenza are redness, pain, or itching where Cenza was applied. You should tell your doctor if any side effects bother you or do not go away. To report suspected adverse reactions, contact Veratos Pharma Incorporated at 1-877-964-7979, Option One, or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Please see the full prescribing information provided by your healthcare provider or at Cenza.