The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new medication to treat pain without opioid effects. Journavx by Vertex Pharmaceuticals blocks pain signals to the brain, making it non-addictive. The drug is expensive, with a list price of $15.50 per pill, but it offers an alternative to opioids that are often addictive. Researchers say they expect this to be the first of a new generation of more powerful non-addictive drugs to relieve pain. Two large clinical trials tested the drug in patients undergoing surgery, showing similar results to placebo and opioid treatments. However, its high price may limit accessibility for some patients.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/health/fda-journavx-suzetrigine-vertex-opioids.html