FDA approves suzetrigine, first non-opioid painkiller approved in decades

Suzetrigine, a non-opioid painkiller, has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe pain. This analgesic, now being marketed as Journavx, is a sodium-channel-targeting drug that can provide pain relief without the risk of addiction, overdose, or sedation. After being given the nod on Thursday, Journavx has become the first FDA-approved drug in this new class of pain management medicines.¹

Why suzetrigine is different

In sum, this drug is safer and comes with fewer side effects than other available painkillers. Opioids are not only addictive but can be dangerous for those who take them to alleviate post-surgery pain. There is a serious opioid epidemic in the United States due to inadequate regulation, overprescribing by the medical profession, and a push from pharmaceutical companies. In 2019, opioids were responsible for 15.8 deaths per 100,000 people in the US.² Thus, the introduction of a sodium-channel-targeting drug like suzetrigine may be a game-changer for post-op pain management.

How this drug works

When electrical signals flow through the nerve cells, suzetrigine essentially "opens" and "closes" sodium channels to allow sodium ions to pass through. This then prompts nerve impulses to transmit pain signals to the brain. Although procaine (Novocain) is an effective and reliable anesthetic (and sodium-channel-targeting drug), it must be administered locally through injections, creams, or gels.¹

Promising clinical trial results

Following the results of successful phase III trials presented at a 2024 anesthesiology conference, researchers concluded that: "[suzetrigine] has the potential to be a safe and effective non-opioid treatment option for moderate to severe acute pain and the potential to be the first drug in a new class of pain."¹

One participant in this trial, Terp Vairin, reported feeling lucid after taking suzetrigine to ease any pain and discomfort caused by their surgery. They did not experience any grogginess or nausea commonly linked with opioid use. In fact, more than 80% of trial participants rated suzetrigine just as effective as post-surgery opioid regimen-with significantly fewer side effects. It even outperformed placebos in many safety measures.¹

Future hurdles

Jessica Oswald, a pain-medicine specialist at the University of California believes suzetrigine may be a viable alternative to opioids in the future. However, the success of this drug, and its ability to supersede opioids, depends on the cost.

As of right now, the wholesale price is around $15.50 per pill, which is more expensive than most opioids-but it may be more cost-effective in the long run due to the lengthy health-care costs caused by opioid addiction.

Furthermore, there is a pressing need for opioid alternatives in a chronic pain setting, and right now, suzetrigine only works in treating acute pain. LTG-001, a drug developed by Latigo Biotherapeutics in Thousand Oaks, California, is also undergoing clinical trials but may be even more effective in treating severe pain. Compared to suzetrigine's two-to-four-hour absorption time, LTG-001 "kicks in" faster and can therefore provide more rapid pain relief.¹

Either way, suzetrigine's early success is something to be celebrated-it's a promising step forward in fighting the opioid crisis.

References

1. US drug agency approves potent painkiller - the first non-opioid in decades. Nature. January 31, 2025. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00274-1?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=7f8f44a224-nature-briefing-daily-20250131&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b27a691814-7f8f44a224-51429308

2. Opioid crisis: addiction, overprescription, and insufficient primary prevention. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2023 Jul 12;23:100557. doi: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100557.