This study is comparing the efficacy and tolerability of Qutenza with that of pregabalin in patients suffering from peripheral neuropathic pain. Treatment allocation will be to one of these treatments and the duration of the study will be about 10 weeks (assuming that from screening to treatment allocation takes 2 weeks). Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires about various aspects relating to their condition throughout the study.

This study will include subjects suffering from Postherpetic Neuralgia, Peripheral Nerve Injury or Non Diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. Documented diagnosis of probable or definite PNP

• 2. Localized and well-defined area of PNP, suitable for treatment with QUTENZA

• 3. Documented diagnosis at the Baseline Visit of either:

  • Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) with pain persisting at least 6 months since shingles vesicle crusting
  • Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) including post-surgical or post-traumatic neuropathic pain, persisting for a minimum of 3 months
  • Non-diabetic painful peripheral polyneuropathy with pain which has persisted for a minimum of 3 months, including (i) small-fiber neuropathy, as confirmed by quantitative sensory testing (QST), laser evoked potentials (LEP) or skin biopsy, (ii) chemotherapy induced neuropathy in subjects with stable neoplastic disease, (iii) other, adequately characterized painful peripheral polyneuropathy, based on clinical history and examination

• 4. Average pain score ≥4 during Screening Period, over a minimum of at least 4 consecutive days (using the "average pain for the past 24 hours" Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score

• 5. Intact, non-irritated, dry skin over the painful area(s) to be treated

• 6. Is either:

  • Naïve to treatment with pregabalin and gabapentin, OR
  • In the opinion of the investigator, has not received an adequate trial of treatment with pregabalin or gabapentin

• 7. Subject is willing to receive pregabalin or QUTENZA as part of the trial

• 8. Females of child bearing potential must be willing to use highly effective methods of birth control during the study and for 30 days following study termination

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. Significant ongoing or recurrent pain of etiology other than PHN, PNI or non-diabetic painful peripheral polyneuropathy, for example: compression-related neuropathies (e.g. spinal stenosis), radiculopathy, tumor-related pain, fibromyalgia or arthritis
• 2. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS, Type I or II)
• 3. Neuropathic pain related to previously administered radiotherapy, diabetes mellitus or HIV-AN
• 4. Neuropathic pain areas located only on the face, above the hairline of the scalp, and/or in proximity to mucous membranes
• 5. Severe loss of heat sensation in the painful area, indicative of C-fiber denervation
• 6. Reported daily pain score of 10 on the NPRS for at least 4 days during the Screening Period
• 7. Past or current history of diabetes mellitus
• 8. Unstable or poorly controlled hypertension or a recent history of a cardiovascular event which, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the subject at risk of adverse cardiovascular reactions related to the patch application procedure
• 9. Creatinine clearance (CLcr) < 60mL/min according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula
• 10. Untreated ongoing generalized anxiety disorder according to DSM-IV or ICD-10 criteria
• 11. Severe ongoing depression according to DSM-IV or ICD-10 criteria
• 12. Evidence of cognitive impairment including dementia that may interfere with subject's ability to complete study evaluations and recall pain levels in the past 24 hours
• 13. Planned elective surgery during the trial
• 14. Changes to stable neuropathic pain background medication in the 4 weeks prior to the Baseline Visit
• 15. Any prior receipt of QUTENZA patches, including blinded patches administered as part of a clinical trial
• 16. Hypersensitivity to capsaicin (i.e., chilli peppers or Over-the-counter [OTC] capsaicin products), any QUTENZA excipients, local anesthetics, or adhesives
• 17. Treatment with pregabalin or gabapentin within 2 months prior to the Baseline Visit
• 18. Hypersensitivity to pregabalin or any of the excipients
• 19. Use of opioids exceeding a total daily dose of morphine of 200 mg/day, or equivalent; or any intravenous opioids or tapentadol, regardless of dose, within 7 days preceding the Baseline Visit
• 20. Use of any topical pain medication, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, menthol, methyl salicylate, local anesthetics (including patch containing lidocaine), steroids or capsaicin products on the painful areas to be treated within 7 days preceding the Baseline Visit
• 21. Chemotherapy within 3 months of the Baseline Visit, except maintenance hormone treatment
• 22. Use of any investigational agent within 30 days prior to Baseline Visit
• 23. Active substance abuse or history of chronic substance abuse within 1 year prior to screening; or any prior chronic substance abuse (including alcoholism) likely to re-occur during the study period as judged by the investigator
• 24. Female subjects of child-bearing potential with a positive serum or urine pregnancy test prior to treatment