The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new class of opioid-free painkillers, Journavx, for treating moderate-to-severe acute pain. This marks the first time in over 20 years that a new non-opioid pain medication has been approved by the FDA.
Journavx blocks pain signals in peripheral nerves, rather than targeting the brain like traditional opioids. The drug is designed to provide effective pain relief without carrying the addictive potential of opioids.
According to Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Journavx, 80 million Americans receive a prescription for moderate-to-severe acute pain each year. This new medication offers an alternative treatment option for those experiencing short-term pains caused by physical trauma or surgery.
The FDA approved Journavx after conducting two randomized clinical trials involving 874 participants who experienced acute pain following surgery. The results showed that patients taking Journavx had greater pain reduction than those receiving a placebo.
However, patients should be aware of potential side effects, including itching, rash, muscle spasms, and increased levels of creatine phosphokinase. Additionally, female fertility may be temporarily affected during treatment.
The approval of Journavx represents an important milestone in acute pain management, offering a new non-opioid analgesic therapeutic class for treating moderate-to-severe acute pain. This provides patients with another treatment option and mitigates certain risks associated with using opioids for pain management.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/fda-approves-1st-new-class-of-opioid-free-painkillers-in-over-20-years