The FDA has approved the first drug in a new class of non-opioid pain medicines

The FDA has approved Journavx (suzetrigine) 50 milligram oral tablets, a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic, to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Journavx alleviates pain by inhibiting a pain-signaling route involving sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system, before pain signals reach the brain. Journavx is the first drug to be licensed in this new family of pain relievers.

Pain is a frequent medical concern, and reducing pain is an essential treatment goal. Acute pain is short-term pain caused by tissue injury, such as trauma or surgery. Acute pain is frequently treated with analgesics, which may or may not include opioids.

The FDA has long supported development of non-opioid pain treatment. As part of the FDA Overdose Prevention Framework, the agency has issued draft guidance aimed at encouraging development of non-opioid analgesics for acute pain and awarded cooperative grants to support the development and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute pain conditions. The application received Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track and Priority Review designations by the FDA.  

The efficacy of Journavx was evaluated in two randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trials of acute surgical pain, one following abdominoplasty and the other following bunionectomy. In addition to receiving the randomized treatment, all participants in the trials with inadequate pain control were permitted to use ibuprofen as needed for “rescue” pain medication. Both trials demonstrated a statistically significant superior reduction in pain with Journavx compared to placebo. The safety profile of Journavx is primarily based on data from the pooled, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trials in 874 participants with moderate to severe acute pain following abdominoplasty and bunionectomy, with supportive safety data from one single-arm, open-label study in 256 participants with moderate to severe acute pain in a range of acute pain conditions.

The most common adverse reactions in study participants who received Journavx were itching, muscle spasms, increased blood level of creatine phosphokinase, and rash. Journavx is contraindicated for concomitant use with strong CYP3A inhibitors. Additionally, patients should avoid food or drink containing grapefruit when taking Journavx.

Learn more: FDA Approves Novel Non-Opioid Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain | FDA