suzetrigine drug Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/suzetrigine Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: VX-548 Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 7, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Also called: VX-548 (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is Suzetrigine? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Suzetrigine is a pain-relieving drug. It is the first in a class of non-opioid analgesics and designed to treat moderate-to-severe acute pain without the risk of addiction associated with opioid medications." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How does suzetrigine work? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Suzetrigine works as a selective inhibitor of the NaV1.8 sodium channel on pain-sensing neurons in the peripheral nervous system. When bound to NaV1.8, it stabilizes the channel in its closed state, which reduces that transmission of pain signals." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What makes suzetrigine different from opioid medications? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Suzetrigine differs from opioid medications in that it provides pain relief without affecting the central nervous system. This reduces the risk of addiction and central side effects common with opioids." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are possible side effects of suzetrigine? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Possible side effects of taking suzetrigine include itching, muscle spasms, rash, and elevated blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, an enzyme found in certain tissues, including the heart and brain." } } ] } Top Questions What is Suzetrigine? Suzetrigine is a pain-relieving drug. It is the first in a class of non-opioid analgesics and designed to treat moderate-to-severe acute pain without the risk of addiction associated with opioid medications.

　　How does suzetrigine work? Suzetrigine works as a selective inhibitor of the NaV1.8 sodium channel on pain-sensing neurons in the peripheral nervous system. When bound to NaV1.8, it stabilizes the channel in its closed state, which reduces that transmission of pain signals.

　　What makes suzetrigine different from opioid medications? Suzetrigine differs from opioid medications in that it provides pain relief without affecting the central nervous system. This reduces the risk of addiction and central side effects common with opioids.

　　What are possible side effects of suzetrigine? Possible side effects of taking suzetrigine include itching, muscle spasms, rash, and elevated blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, an enzyme found in certain tissues, including the heart and brain.

　　suzetrigine, pain-relieving drug, the first to be developed in a class of agents known as non-opioid analgesics, named for the ability to provide pain relief without the risk of addiction associated with the use of opioid medications. Suzetrigine was designed specifically for adults with moderate to severe acute pain; it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2025. It is marketed under the brand name Journavx. Suzetrigine was developed by the U.S.-based biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals; it initially was known as VX-548. In 2022 the drug was investigated in a Phase 2 clinical trial; this proof-of-concept ...(100 of 420 words)

　　Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!