FDA has approved suzetrigine (Journavx) for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain. The drug was found to be as effective as Vicodin (hydrocodone with acetaminophen) after surgery to remove a bunion and after a “tummy tuck”.
Suzetrigine is a selective NaV1.8 inhibitor, targeting a key sodium channel involved in pain signaling. The NaV1.8 channel is crucial in transmitting nerve pain signals to the brain. However, the drug does not enter the brain and works only on the nerves outside the brain and in the body.
Unlike traditional pain medications such as opioids, suzetrigine provides effective pain relief without addiction risk or severe systemic side effects. Early clinical trials suggest it may be beneficial for conditions like neuropathic pain, post-surgical pain, and chronic pain syndromes. Hopefully, it will also prove effective in the treatment of migraines and other types of headaches.
In clinical trials, about 37% of patients experienced adverse events, though most were mild. These included itching, rash, constipation, and muscle spasms.
As a non-opioid option, suzetrigine provides clinicians with an additional tool for acute pain management. The medication is expected to become available in the second quarter of 2025. The expected cost is about $15 a pill.
