This breakthrough pain drug provides opioid-like relief—without the risks and side effects
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
“Suzetrigine does not rely on the classic mu opioid receptor pathway to control pain. Suzetrigine’s mechanism bypasses the opioid receptors altogether, offering pain relief without the addictive baggage we’ve come to expect from narcotics. From a safety standpoint, that’s a significant advantage.” — Luis Vinas, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon
The use of opioids as a prescription pain medication is a primary gateway to opioid addiction. The American Medical Association estimates that 3% to 19% of individuals who take prescription pain medications develop an addiction to them.[]
An answer to the opioid epidemic?
The opioid crisis has driven the search for safer pain relief options. And earlier this year, in January 2025, the FDA approved suzetrigine, a non-opioid medication.[]
Board-certified plastic surgeon Luis Vinas, MD, says, “Suzetrigine does not rely on the classic mu opioid receptor pathway to control pain. Suzetrigine’s mechanism bypasses the opioid receptors altogether, offering pain relief without the addictive baggage we’ve come to expect from narcotics. From a safety standpoint, that’s a significant advantage.”
Suzetrigine blocks sodium channel 1.8 (NaV1.8), a key component in pain signaling. This targeted approach minimizes side effects like numbness and motor impairment seen with broad-spectrum sodium channel inhibitors.[]
Effective for post-surgical and chronic pain
Suzetrigine offers a potential solution for post-surgical pain, for which opioids are still widely used. Suzetrigine achieved the primary outcome in key trials:[][]
It significantly lowered postoperative pain scores measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale at 48 hours following abdominoplasty or bunionectomy surgery.
Pain improvement vs placebo was statistically significant, with cumulative pain scores over 48 hours varying between 48.4 (abdominoplasty) and 29.3 (bunionectomy).
In a single-arm evaluation, 83.2% of patients rated pain relief with suzetrigine as good, very good, or excellent on the Patient Global Assessment scale.
Fewer side effects
According to the FDA report, side effects of suzetrigine include itching, rash, muscle spasms, and elevated creatine phosphokinase levels.[] Furthermore, the drug must not be co-administered with potent CYP3A inhibitors. Patients must also refrain from consuming foods or drinks containing grapefruit when taking suzetrigine.
Overall, the safety profile of suzetrigine is favorable even when compared with non-opioid pain-relieving medications like NSAIDs, which can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, and cardiovascular dysfunction.
According to Dr. Vinas, “Suzetrigine could be especially beneficial for patients who are opioid-intolerant or at high risk of addiction. It could also play a role in managing post-operative discomfort, where inflammation and nerve sensitivity are major drivers.”
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