The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new pain pill called Journavx, designed to mitigate the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opioid medications like Vicodin and OxyContin.
The big picture: Journavx, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is indicated for short-term pain management following surgeries or injuries, offering an alternative to both opioids and over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
- Studies involving over 870 patients with acute pain due to foot and abdominal surgeries showed that Journavx provided more relief than a placebo but did not outperform a common opioid-acetaminophen combination pill.
- The drug works differently from opioids, blocking proteins that trigger pain signals before they reach the brain, thereby aiming to reduce the risk of addiction associated with traditional opioids.
Go deeper: Despite its promising approach to pain management, Journavx has been noted to have a modest effectiveness, with some health experts emphasizing the drug’s potential but also pointing out its limitations in terms of pain relief.
- Journavx comes with a list price of $15.50 per pill, significantly more expensive than comparable opioids available as generics for $1 or less.
- Commonly reported side effects of Journavx include nausea, constipation, itching, rash, and headache, with the drug being touted as having different side effect profiles that don’t involve the risk of substance abuse commonly associated with opioids.
