Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Drug profile · INN

capsaicin

capsaicin (QUTENZA) is a vanilloid receptor opener. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

FDA: approved EMA: approved Nervous system (N01) N01BX04
US status approved
Patents linked 5
Pipeline programs 5
News articles 0
Drug details — capsaicin
US status
approved
Class
Nervous system (N01)
Route
TOPICAL
Patents
5
Programs
5
Data quality
0.84

Quick answer

capsaicin (QUTENZA) is a vanilloid receptor opener. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

Key facts

INN capsaicin
Brand QUTENZA
Mechanism Vanilloid receptor opener
Target Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1
Therapeutic class Nervous system (N01)
Route TOPICAL
Formulation PATCH
ATC code N01BX04

Mechanism of action

Vanilloid receptor opener

Primary target: Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1

Approval history

Authority Status Date
FDA approved
EMA approved

Pipeline programs

  1. AV001 Phase 3 · Anaxis Pharma · Post-surgical neuropathic pain
  2. Capsaicin Phase 3 · BRIGHT MINDS BIOSCIENCES · Diabetic Polyneuropathy
  3. Qutenza Phase 2 · United Therapeutics Europe · Pulmonary Hypertension
  4. Qutenza (8% capsaicin) Phase 2 · United Therapeutics Europe · Pulmonary Hypertension
  5. RIMEGEPANT , Capsaicin Approved · Disc Medicine · Obesity, Migraine

Related & competitor drugs

  1. aripiprazole Nervous system (N05)
  2. brexpiprazole Nervous system (N05)
  3. brivaracetam Nervous system (N03)
  4. bupivacaine Nervous system (N01)
  5. buprenorphine Nervous system (N07)
  6. caffeine citrate Nervous system (N06)

Related patents

  1. US 7097991

    Nucleic acid sequences encoding capsaicin receptor and capsaicin receptor-related polypeptides and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Aug 24 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  2. US 6790629

    Nucleic acid sequences encoding capsaicin receptor and capsaicin receptor-related polypeptides and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Sep 09 2024 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    expired
  3. US 6335180

    Nucleic acid sequences encoding capsaicin receptor and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Dec 27 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    expired
  4. US 6248788

    Therapeutic method with capsaicin and capasicin analogs

    Expires Mon Jun 14 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    expired
  5. US 6239180

    Transdermal therapeutic device and method with capsaicin and capsaicin analogs

    Expires Mon May 24 2021 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    expired

Frequently asked questions

What is capsaicin?

capsaicin (QUTENZA) is a vanilloid receptor opener. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

What is the brand name for capsaicin?

QUTENZA is a marketed brand name for capsaicin. Check FDA Drugs@FDA for the current US label holder and prescribing information.

What is the US approval status of capsaicin?

capsaicin has approved status in the United States according to our Drugs@FDA-derived records. Verify on the official FDA label before clinical or commercial decisions.