FDA Approves A New Type Of Non-Addictive Painkiller For Acute Pain

Often when people come out of surgery and even long after an accident, people use painkillers to relieve themselves of the excruciating pain. The fact that painkillers can be addictive and could end up causing long term damage, patients are given minimal dose. This culminates into a difficult situation as sometimes this pain is worse for people and are unable to leave their bed to even use the bathroom. In a recent turn of events, FDA has now approved a new painkiller which can prove to be very useful.

Journavx is a drug made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and its main purpose is to help adults in dealing with pain which ranges from a scale of moderate to severe, but only for a short time. When a person get out of surgery or have an injury, we know it is a temporary pain but going through it with no proper medication can be tough, and it can also lead your body to experience more trauma. But why is this better than the ones we have been using currently? The big deal about this new drug is that, it's a non-opioid painkiller, which means it doesn't lead to addictive tendencies like morphine or oxycodone. With Journavx , doctors now would have an option to help patients manage their pain without the risks that come with opioids. This approval is a step forward in finding better ways to treat pain.

Why Is This Important?

For a long time, doctors have relied heavily on opioids, which we know carries a big risk of addiction. Opioids are really good at managing pain, which is why they're often used as pain relievers after surgery or for severe injuries. The problem with opiod-based painkillers is that they also affect the brain in a way that can lead to addiction. Even when patients take these medications as prescribed, they could become dependent begin to need the drug to feel 'normal' and at ease.

This can lead to serious problems, including overdose and even death. While doctors are more careful about prescribing opioids, it is still a common treatment for pain however, the risk of addiction remains a big concern.

The approval underscores the “FDA’s commitment to approving safe and effective alternatives to opioids for pain management,” said Dr. Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a release.

Do Medical Practitioners Agree?

By latching onto special places in the brain called opioid receptors, pain meds block all pain signals and then release chemicals that make you feel better and this is the very reason that makes them addictive. The newly approved non opioid pain medication works completely differently, not affecting the brain directly, Vertex’s treatment works by blocking pain signals at their origin before they reach the brain. It's like blocking the pain message before it even gets to the brain.

The FDA think this is a real step forward in how we handle short-term pain. They see it as another weapon in their fight against pain, especially because it can help people avoid opioids. One expert even called it "opioid-sparing," meaning it could help people avoid the need for opioids altogether.