Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Suzetrigine is the first class of non-opioid analgesics that selectively targets and blocks a key mediator in pain signal transmission, NaV1.8, which is expressed in the peripheral nociceptive neurons. Suzetrigine received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 30, 2025. This review aims to explore Suzetrigine, a newly FDA-approved analgesic, by discussing its clinical opportunities, associated challenges, and future directions in pain management. METHODS: We searched major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov) and FDA sources for information on Suzetrigine and its role in pain management. The collected preclinical, clinical, and regulatory data were reviewed and analyzed to highlight their current evidence, challenges, and future potential. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: Suzetrigine has been approved to treat acute pain after a sufficient and acceptable clinical trial. In terms of its usage in treating chronic pain, its effectiveness in cases of pregnant or lactating women and children, as well as whether it can be used in combination therapy, are still under observation. The brand name of Suzetrigine is JOURNAVX. So far, enough evidence has been provided to approve this drug only to treat acute pain for a short period of time. A lot of people with short-term pain are concerned about getting addicted to opioid analgesics when they are used as postoperative pain relievers. The invention of Suzetrigine focused on combating these sorts of phenomena. CONCLUSION: Suzetrigine is considered an alternative option in the realm of acute pain management. Due to its selectivity, this medication does not interfere with other local anesthetics. Moreover, this selectivity also constrains this medication to act on other receptors, thus possessing the least amount of adverse effects. Although Suzetrigine created many opportunities for research in the field of pain management, but also opened a door for many uncertainties that cannot be ignored.