FDA approves a new pain med that could eliminate addiction. When can GA patients get it?
For the first time in over two decades, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new kind of non-opioid drug for pain management.
Journavx (suzetrigine), a novel non-opioid medication has been specifically designed to eliminate the risk of addiction and could be a game-changer for the opioid crisis facing Georgia.
What is the significance of suzetrigine?
Over 180,000 people are struggling with opioid addiction in Georgia.
This number represents the continuing upward trend of addiction and is a dramatic increase in opioid-related issues from the past decade.
Addiction disorders are one of the most expensive diseases affecting the state. The combined cost of opioid use disorder and fatal overdose in Georgia is estimated at $21 million per year. This new drug could be a major influence in lowering these numbers.
This breakthrough drug, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is the first new class of medication and works by targeting pain-signaling pathways, offering an alternative to opioids for managing acute pain.
Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, J.D., M.D., acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, says the new drug will, “offer an opportunity to mitigate certain risks associated with using an opioid for pain and provides patients with another treatment option.”
What are the downsides?
Journavx is expected to be available in pharmacies in Georgia within the next few weeks with the wholesale acquisition cost to be set at $15.50 per 50mg pill.
This is significantly higher than generic opioids and many insurance companies may not initially cover it.
The Journavx website tells a different story, estimating some patients may pay as little as $30 per prescription for up to a 30-day supply. It goes on to say that uninsured patients may be eligible to get the medication at no cost and can apply on the website, but this is yet unproven.
It is not without side effects, however. The Scientific American offers warnings for possible side effects.
Itching
Muscle spasms
Increased levels of creatine in the bloodstream
Rashes
Additionally, it could interact with other medications like antibiotics and antivirals, and people should not eat grapefruit while on this medication.
This approval comes at a crucial time, as the opioid crisis continues to impact many Americans.
In Georgia, like many states, there are laws limiting initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain to a 7-day supply, so the alternative could facilitate a healthier, less painful recovery.
What are your thoughts about this game-changing medication? Email me your thoughts at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM with the headline "FDA approves a new pain med that could eliminate addiction. When can GA patients get it?."
