The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Journavx, a new pain medication for people with short-term pain. This is the first innovative, novel drug created for pain management in more than 20 years. Designed to treat pain following surgeries or injuries, Journavx can offer an alternative to opioids. It is also an appropriate alternative to over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
The ability of the drug to help more than standard non-opioid painkillers is indeed a game changer for the world of pharmaceuticals.
Effectiveness Compared to Opioids
In clinical trials involving over 870 patients who underwent foot and abdominal surgeries, Journavx demonstrated greater pain relief than a placebo. While it didn’t outperform opioids, it provided similar relief to an opioid-acetaminophen combination.
Dr. Michael Schuh, a pharmacist and pain specialist at the Mayo Clinic, says, “It’s not a slam dunk on effectiveness. But it is a slam dunk in that it’s a very different pathway and mechanism of action, so I think that shows a lot of promise.”
Traditional opioids bind to brain receptors to block pain signals (while also causing addictive effects). Journavx blocks proteins responsible for transmitting pain before the signals reach the brain.
Dr. David Altshuler of Vertex Pharmaceuticals explains, “In trying to develop medicines that don’t have the addictive risks of opioid medicines, a key factor is working to block pain signaling before it gets to the brain.”
This method eliminates the high risk of addiction associated with opioids while still offering pain relief.
Journavx is not without side effects. Some of the most commonly reported include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Itching
- Rash
- Headache
However, unlike opioids, Journavx does not pose a risk of addiction, respiratory depression, or overdose.
The Opioid Crisis: How Many People Get Addicted Each Year?
Opioid addiction remains a major public health issue in the United States. Each year, millions develop opioid use disorder, often due to prescribed painkillers.
Opioids are still highly addictive drugs that can cause overdose and death when misused. 2.5 million adults in the U.S. suffered from opioid use disorder in 2021, but only 1 in 5 of those affected received treatment. Nearly 50% of those who had used opioid drugs in the past month where men over the age of 30. s
While opioid prescriptions have declined significantly in the past decade, the current opioid epidemic is fueled by illicit fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50-100 times stronger than heroin and is responsible for the majority of overdoses in the United States. Many people who use other opioids don’t realize that the drug they are taking is fentanyl. It’s a recipe for disaster or fatal overdose.
This shift toward more deadly opioids highlights the urgent need for non-addictive pain treatments, such as Journavx.
How Opioid Addiction Works
Opioids create addiction by changing how the brain works. The drugs work by blocking pain and triggering a surge of dopamine, a chemical that produces intense pleasure. This feeling, which can help with pain relief, often drives people to keep taking the drug.
Over time, the brain adapts and requires higher doses to produce the same effect. This process, called tolerance, makes people take more of the drug. When they stop using opioids, their brain struggles to function. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety, and cravings. These effects make quitting extremely difficult.
Opioids cause serious harm, including:
- Addiction: The brain depends on the drug and resists stopping.
- Overdose: High doses slow or stop breathing, which can be fatal.
- Health problems: The drug damages organs, weakens the immune system, and increases infection risk.
- Mental health effects: It triggers depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
- Life consequences: Addiction destroys relationships, careers, and finances.
Even when prescribed, opioids pose serious risks and require careful use.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is now focusing on expanding its non-opioid pain relief pipeline, aiming for FDA approval in chronic pain management. Despite setbacks in recent trials, the company is pushing forward with new studies to refine its approach.
The approval of Journavx signals a potential breakthrough in pain management—one that could help reduce dependence on highly addictive opioids while still providing effective relief.
Getting Help for Opioid Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, help is just a phone call away. Our compassionate team is ready to guide you toward a path of recovery and answer any questions you may have! Call us at 1-800-825-1564 to learn more about your options.
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