The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Journavx, a non‑opioid analgesic to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults.

Clinical trials showed that Journavx (suzetrigine), in a regimen of 50 milligram oral tablets, significantly reduces pain by targeting a special pathway in the peripheral nervous system, before pain signals reach the brain.

Journavx is the first drug approved in this new class of pain management medicines—and the first drug approved in 25 years to treat acute pain. Experts say that it could be a turning point in the fight against the opioid epidemic, which has been fueled by abuse of these addictive pain management medicines.

Pain is a common medical issue, and pain relief is an important therapeutic goal. Acute pain is defined as short‑term pain typically in response to injury to the tissue, such as trauma or surgery. It is usually treated with pain medicines, which may or may not contain opioids.

“A new non‑opioid analgesic therapeutic class for acute pain offers an opportunity to mitigate certain risks associated with using an opioid for pain and provides patients with another treatment option,” said Jacqueline Corrigan‑Curay, acting director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a press release.

FDA approval was based on two 48‑hour, double‑blind studies in a group of 2,191 adults with moderate to severe postoperative pain. They found that this selective sodium channel blocker was more effective than the placebo. This drug appears to be well tolerated and not cause addiction or dependency.

Researchers say that most patients with moderate to severe acute pain should first try an NSAID (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin). Suzetrigine may be a suitable alternative if NSAIDs or opioids do not work or present an unacceptable risk of side effects. The safety and efficacy of suzetrigine for the management of subacute or chronic pain is unknown.

It is common for patients to experience pain. Pain is a signal from the nervous system that something isn’t right. It feels unpleasant, like stabbing, tingling, stinging, burning, or aching. It can be acute or dull, intermittent or constant. Pain can be felt in a specific part of the body, such as the back, abdomen, chest, or pelvis. Or it can be generalized, difficult to pinpoint.

Pain can help diagnose a problem. Without pain, people can unknowingly seriously injure themselves or not realize that they have a medical problem that requires treatment.

There are two types of pain: acute and chronic. In general, acute pain appears suddenly and is caused by a disease, injury, or inflammation. It can often be diagnosed and treated. It usually goes away, although sometimes it can turn into chronic pain. Chronic pain is long‑lasting and can cause serious problems.

Pain in most of its forms can become disabling, interfering with daily activities, work, family, and social life and causing discomfort that can lead to a mental health condition. So don’t just tolerate it: see a doctor and get a treatment plan. Waiting may make your condition worse.

Pain is not always curable, but there are many ways to treat it. The treatment depends on the cause and type of pain. There are medication treatments, such as pain relievers. There are also non‑medication treatments, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery.