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The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first new non-opioid pain reliever in more than 20 years according to a new report. The new drug is known as Journavx and it holds promise as a much needed alternative to opioid painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin. These opioids have long been associated with a high risk of addiction and overdose.
Researchers hope the drug may prove a safer option for short term pain relief following surgeries or injuries. They also hope it might be effective for the management of chronic pain.
Opioid use disorder remains a significant public health concern nationwide. Those who become dependent on these substances often require intensive support including detox and rehab programs.
Journavx researchers caution that the analgesic effects of Journavx are modest at this time. Yet they’re hopeful that the drug may be the first of many new and even more effective medications targeting new pathways for relieving pain.
Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to block pain but Journavx belongs to a new class of drug that works on different pain pathways. These drugs are thought to block specific proteins that trigger pain signals before they ever reach the brain. This innovative approach allows the drug to reduce pain while sidestepping the addictive properties linked to opioids.
The trials involved more than 870 patients who had undergone foot or abdominal surgeries. Journavx provided more pain relief than a placebo but was not as effective as the traditional combination of opioid and acetaminophen treatments. This was a promising outcome that hinted at the drug’s power and potential.
It’s been more than two decades since there’s been a major advancement in pain treatment quite like this one. The drug’s real capacity will keep unfolding as development continues.
