FDA approves groundbreaking non-opioid painkiller

In a major step forward for pain management, on Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new non-opioid painkiller developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Journavx, or Suzetrigine, is a new drug approved by the FDA to treat moderate to severe short-term pain in adults.

Experts say this non-addictive drug could help cut down on opioid prescriptions after surgery and be a solution for those who can't take other pain relievers. However, many experts are asking for more research, according to NBC News. 

Dr. Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, the acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, stated that the approval marks "an important milestone for public health in managing acute pain."

Michael Schatman, a clinical instructor in anesthesiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, shared, "I think in acute pain this drug has great promise. This is something that could be opioid-sparing, and we need more tools in our armory for pain."

Though there has been a significant decline in the number of patients leaving the hospital with opioid prescriptions, many continue to receive them. While opioids are powerful pain relievers, their risks leave doctors and patients struggling for alternatives when Tylenol or ibuprofen don't provide enough relief.

Opioids block pain by attaching to receptors in the brain. This also triggers a flood of dopamine, causing feelings of euphoria and activating the brain’s reward system, which makes them highly addictive.