More on the latest approved drug: Journavx
The FDA recently approved a new non opioid prescription pill called Journavx. This new medication can provide patients with alternative options for treating pain and help reduce risks associated with traditional opioid painkillers. It is the first new painkiller in the US since the approval of Celebrex, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that was approved back in 1998. It is also the first of its kind in the class of pain medication in 20 years and the first non-opioid painkiller since the 1980s.
According to the CDC, from 1999 to 2022, an estimated 730,000 people died in the US from opioid overdose. This included prescription opioids as well as illegal opioids. Opioids are currently the most potent and effective way to control pain. However, they are also associated with a high risk of addiction and have fueled the epidemic of drug addiction and overdose deaths in recent decades.
This rising public health concern exposed the need for alternative, effective, but non addictive strategies to treat and manage pain. Now with the introduction of Journavx, or by its generic name suzetrigine, this new pain medication could make a huge difference in how pain is managed. However, these new pills are expensive and not accessible to everyone.
Can the introduction of Journavx be a game-changer for pain management?
According to a study by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the company that developed Journavx, an estimated 80 million Americans fill prescriptions each year for medications to treat moderate to severe pain. Journavx or suzetrigine, is not a cure-all medication.
It is helpful in treating moderate to severe, acute, short-term pain in adults. It can treat pain often stemming from unexpected trauma or surgical recovery and pain that is expected to last less than three months.
Unlike traditional opioids, this new medication does not cause nausea or drowsiness. It does not create feelings of euphoria so there is very little potential for developing tolerance, dependence or addiction.
The new medication works by blocking pain signals that originate in the peripheral nervous system before they can even reach the brain. Unlike opioids that attach to certain chain receptors in the body, where they can not only block the pain but also elicit pleasurable feelings, Journavx operates differently.
Chronic pain is linked to different mechanisms. One mechanism affects the muscles and bone such as arthritis and low back pain. These nerves remain intact, but the tissues surrounding them are damaged and will start sending pain signals to the brain.
The other mechanism of chronic pain is when the nerves themselves become damaged. For example, with diabetes, it causes nerve tissues in the fingers and feet to become damaged.
Is Journavx already facing setbacks?
The FDA has only approved the use of suzetrigine for the treatment of short-term acute pain and not conditions of chronic pain. This results in limited insurance coverage on top of the high price point. Traditional opioid painkillers cost as little as a few cents per pill if we are talking about the generic brand. Journavx comes at a steep price of $15 per pill. The very stark difference in price has caused some worries.
Price can be an obstacle to this new medication. Journavx comes in 50 milligram tablets with a list price of about $15.50 per pill. Most patients need to take two pills per day. Common painkiller medications such as Vicodin cost around $1 to $2 per pill.
Because the FDA has approved the drug for short-term use, most insurance plans will only cover the cost for 14 days. This is because 14 days was the length of time in which drug use was studied and tested in its clinical trials. According to the studies, the drug is considered non addictive within 14 days of use. However, after the 14-day trial period, the risk of addiction is still unknown.
Only about 38% of people have insurance coverage for this new medication, according to a data company focused on the pharmaceutical market. This is typical for the first few months of a new drug launch.
There are some patients who have gotten the first round of approval to use Journavx, but are denied when trying to get a refill after two weeks. The limited use of the drug has become frustrating for some patients dealing with chronic pain who have tried and failed to get prescriptions for this new medication.
Check Your Insurance Coverage for FREE
Find out if your insurance covers addiction treatment in minutes. We accept most insurance!
What is Journavx and how does it work?
So how does it work? For example, you accidentally step on a nail. The pain-sensing nerve cells in the injured area of your feet will respond by producing nerve impulses that send a signal to the brain. These nerve impulses are produced by molecules called sodium channels. The sodium channels act as a gate. When they are opened, they allow charged particles called sodium ions to enter the nerve cells. These create electrical currents that carry pain signals to the brain.
Suzetrigine is a sodium channel blocker. It can control the flow of sodium in and out of cells or completely stop sodium channels from operating. This then prevents nerves from sending pain signal messages to the brain as effectively. This can help reduce or even eliminate the sensation of pain. The drug targets one sodium channel specific to pain neurons found throughout the body.
Suzetrigine is not the first medication to work by blocking sodium channels. Novocaine is also a sodium channel blocker, but it does not work as selectively as suzetrigine. Novocain instead numbs the entire area in which it is applied.
Finding the right sodium channel to target took decades of research. Scientists found it most challenging to locate because sodium channels work quickly, so their effects and the effects of any compounds designed to control them are difficult to measure. But with recent success in managing short-term acute pain, the drug company’s manufacturer is now exploring whether or not the drug would be effective in treating more conditions linked to chronic pain.
How long does Journavx work?
With Journavx, patients can feel pain relief as soon as 30 minutes after taking the first dose of the medication. However, it can take up to 2-4 hours before feeling the full effects of pain relief. The full effects can last up to 48 hours, where users most likely need to take a dose of medication every 12 hours. The drug is typically prescribed for up to 14 days.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Do you need Treatment for Substance Use Disorder?
Typical pain medications like opioid painkillers are effective but at a high risk of addiction and overdose. The newly approved Journavx avoids the addictive potential of opioids making it a new alternative to the treatment and management of pain. Because it is a fairly new drug on the market, clinical trials for the effects on chronic conditions or long-term pain are still unknown. Users are also finding it difficult to access the drug as another obstacle to this alternative treatment method.
Behavior health programs such as Hotel California by the Sea provide all tools and resources, including the use of newer FDA-approved drugs to help treat substance addiction. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and MAT. At Hotel California by the Sea, we are dedicated to helping our clients reach their goals of sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/07/10/nx-s1-5463569/opioid-alternative-painkiller-journavx-acute-pain-fda-approval
https://www.uchealth.org/today/journavx-long-awaited-non-opioid-treatment-for-acute-pain-hits-market/
https://www.goodrx.com/journavx/how-journavx-works-faqs?srsltid=AfmBOook_wPxVZyUaevPAlI6CAeo9udwgBNWKJE3MyEOvFL833w6_XXw
https://time.com/7211657/fda-approves-non-opioid-pain-drug-suzetrigine
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/30/health/fda-approves-painkiller-suzetrigine-journavx
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-non-opioid-pain-pill
