The FDA has approved a new non-opioid pain medication that has the potential to significantly change pain management.
Journavx, also known as suzetrigine, is the first and only approved oral pain signal inhibitor that does not rely on opioids. Developed by Massachusetts-based Vertex, the drug provides an alternative for adults suffering from moderate to severe acute pain.
Acute pain caused by surgery, broken bones, or injuries has traditionally been treated with opioids. This initial exposure has led some patients down the path of addiction.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Julie Pilitsis, from Banner – University Medicine, pointed out that many people are first introduced to opioids during post-surgical recovery or after injuries. A portion of those patients become dependent on the medication, making addiction a growing problem.
Traditional pain medications carry risks of addiction or intolerable side effects, making alternatives like suzetrigine necessary.
Unlike conventional painkillers that work by altering receptors in the brain, suzetrigine takes a different approach. It targets sodium channels that regulate pain signals outside the brain, eliminating the addictive potential seen in opioids. This distinction has made it an exciting breakthrough for pain specialists who have been waiting for new treatment options.
According to Dr. Pilitsis, it is the first major development in acute pain relief in nearly two decades.
More than 80 million Americans experience acute pain each year, making it one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. About half of these cases are treated with opioids, with 10% of those patients continuing prolonged use. The consequences of opioid overuse have been devastating.
The CDC reports over five million Americans aged 12 and older struggled with prescription opioid misuse in 2023 alone. Since 1999, nearly 300,000 people have died from overdoses linked to prescription opioids.
Doctors believe that better acute pain management could reduce these numbers by preventing unnecessary exposure to addictive substances.
Pain management specialists are calling suzetrigine a significant development.
Dr. Jianguo Cheng of the Cleveland Clinic described the drug as a safer alternative because it eliminates the risks of misuse, addiction, and respiratory depression that come with opioids. He also noted that the drug may have potential for treating nerve pain, though additional studies are needed.
Clinical trials have shown promising results. The medication received high satisfaction ratings, with 83% of patients reporting good to excellent pain relief in real-world applications.
According to Dr. Marc Siegel of NYU Langone Health, the drug reduces pain by about half, which he considers a strong result. He called it an important tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic, particularly because it has not shown signs of addiction in studies.
Suzetrigine is available, and its accessibility is expected to improve with the NOPAIN Act, which will provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain treatments starting in January 2025.
Like any medication, suzetrigine has potential side effects. Common issues include itching, muscle spasms, and skin rashes, as well as increased levels of a particular enzyme in the blood.
There are also concerns about temporary fertility challenges. Some foods and medications, including those containing grapefruit, can affect the drug’s performance or increase the likelihood of side effects. Patients are encouraged to speak with their doctors if they experience side effects that persist or become bothersome.
The approval of suzetrigine comes as the country continues to struggle with opioid addiction and its deadly consequences. With a non-addictive alternative now available, doctors and researchers hope that patients will have better options for managing pain without the risks associated with traditional painkillers.