Suzetrigine is a novel FDA-approved non-opioid painkiller that blocks peripheral pain signals by inhibiting NaV1.8 sodium channels. It provides effective, addiction-free acute pain relief and addresses the opioid crisis, offering a safer alternative for managing pain without compromising patient safety, thereby ensuring improved healthcare outcomes worldwide for patients.
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The United States Food and Drug Administration approved a new type of non-opioid painkiller.
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The opioid crisis in the United States is a major public health emergency. In 2022 alone, there were 82,000 opioid-involved overdose deaths. Opioids are highly addictive, and their overprescription has led to widespread misuse and dependency. |
Suzetrigine is a new type of non-opioid painkiller recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
It will be sold under the brand name Journavx and is manufactured by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
It works by selectively inhibiting the NaV1.8 voltage-gated sodium channel, which is mainly expressed in peripheral pain-sensing neurons (nociceptors). By blocking this channel, suzetrigine prevents the transmission of pain signals to the central nervous system, effectively reducing pain perception.
Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain cells, which blocks the perception of pain and boosts feelings of pleasure or euphoria. This mechanism can lead to psychological dependence and addiction.
Suzetrigine does not interact with the brain's opioid receptors. It stops the pain signals from reaching the brain in the first place. This means it doesn’t produce the pleasurable sensations that opioids do, making it non-addictive.
Suzetrigine offers a promising alternative because it effectively manages pain without the risk of addiction. This could help reduce the dependence on opioids and potentially save thousands of lives.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided: Assertion: Suzetrigine is a promising alternative to opioids for pain management. Reason: It blocks pain signals in peripheral neurons without interacting with the brain's opioid receptors. Which of the options given below is correct? A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation. B) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation. C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false. D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true. Answer: A Explanation: Assertion (A) is true because suzetrigine’s non-addictive mechanism and effectiveness in blocking pain signals make it a viable alternative to opioids. Reason (R) is true because suzetrigine specifically interrupts pain signals in peripheral pathways (e.g., spinal cord) before they reach the brain, avoiding interaction with opioid receptors that trigger addiction. The reason directly explains the assertion: By blocking pain without affecting brain chemistry, suzetrigine circumvents opioid-related risks, justifying its status as a promising alternative. |
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