Dr. Sanjay Gupta described the recent FDA approval of a new non-opioid pain medication as “a pretty big deal.” The medication, suzetrigine, was approved last week for the treatment of acute pain in adults.
Gupta noted that it’s been 25 years since the last opioid-free pain medication was approved, making this development significant. The FDA considers suzetrigine a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic, providing an alternative to opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl.
Unlike opioids, which primarily affect the brain, suzetrigine works by blocking pain signals at their source. This approach reduces the risk of euphoria and addiction associated with opioid use. Gupta emphasized that this new medication offers patients another treatment option for managing acute pain without relying on opioids.
Source: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5126885-sanjay-gupta-new-non-opioid-pain-medication-journav