New Vertex Medication Journavx Approved for Moderate-to-Severe Pain
Journavx is the first of a new class of non-opioid pain medications FDA-approved for treating moderate-to-severe acute pain in adults.
A new medication is on the horizon for adults dealing with acute pain. Vertex’s Journavx (suzetrigine) is the first drug in 20 years to be approved by the FDA as part of a new class of non-opioid medications for treating certain types of pain.
Many people with diabetes report living with acute and chronic pain as a result of complications like diabetic neuropathy. Right now, Journavx is only approved for moderate-to-severe acute pain management in adults, but the drug is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and has been granted a breakthrough therapy designation (meaning a faster drug review process).
Journax works by targeting pain-signaling pathways to inhibit pain signals before they reach the brain. Unlike opioids, this innovative approach has not shown a potential for addiction so far. Having an alternative to opioids could be a game-changer for millions of Americans as opioids are highly addictive and could lead to long-term health problems; studies have found that chronic opiate use in type 2 diabetes populations was associated with increased early mortality.
Details have yet to be released on when Journax will be available for purchase. The drug will come in 50 mg oral tablets for $15.50 per pill.
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