Suzetrigine – A New Non-Opioid Painkiller

Table of Contents

Context

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved suzetrigine, a non-opioid painkiller developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that are either derived from or mimic natural substances found in the opium poppy plant.
Common Opioids Include: Oxycodone, Morphine, Codeine, Heroin & Fentanyl
These drugs work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals and producing a sense of pleasure or euphoria.
This euphoric effect makes opioids highly addictive, often leading to dependence and misuse
Opioid Crisis in the U.S.:
- 82,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2022 (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC).
- S. consumes 30 times more opioid medication than necessary (BBC report).
- In 2017, President Donald Trump declared a public health emergency due to the opioid epidemic, calling it a “national shame”.=

How Does Suzetrigine Work?

Suzetrigine targets pain signals before they reach the brain, unlike opioids, which alter pain perception in the brain.
It interrupts the pain pathway at the nerve level, preventing the brain from recognizing pain even when tissue damage exists.

Difference Between Suzetrigine & Opioids

Feature	Opioids	Suzetrigine
Action	Blocks pain signals in the brain	Interrupts pain signals before they reach the brain
Addiction Risks	High – Causes euphoria & pleasure	Low/None – Does not trigger pleasure
Side Effects	Addiction, overdose risk, respiratory issues	Expected to be safer, but high cost