Approval of a Non-Opioid Painkiller

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new non-opioid painkiller named suzetrigine, branded as Journavx, and produced by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. This medication is not addictive, setting it apart from traditional opioid painkillers.

What are Opioids?

• Opioids are drugs derived from or mimicking substances in the opium poppy plant.
• Common opioids include oxycodone, morphine, codeine, heroin, and fentanyl.
• They alleviate pain by attaching to opioid receptors in brain cells, blocking pain perception and enhancing pleasure.
• Despite their effectiveness, opioids can lead to addiction due to the euphoric feelings they produce.

Mechanism of Suzetrigine

Pain signals are transmitted from specialized nerve endings called nociceptors to the brain. Suzetrigine interrupts these signals before reaching the brain, unlike opioids that numb the sensation in the brain. This mechanism prevents addiction as it does not produce euphoria.

Significance of the Development

Opioid addiction is a severe crisis in the US, with over 82,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2022. The country consumes 30 times more opioid medication than necessary. The opioid crisis was declared a public health emergency in 2017, with measures like potential tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to control fentanyl importation.