FDA approves new type of nonopioid painkiller for acute pain

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a new type of nonopioid painkiller from Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

The drug, Journavx, or suzetrigine, was approved to treat moderate to severe acute, or short-term, pain in adults. Experts say the drug, which is billed as nonaddictive, could reduce the number of opioids patients are prescribed after surgery or be used by patients who can’t take other pain medications — though several told NBC News they would like to see more research.

In a statement, Dr. Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, the acting director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, called the approval “an important public health milestone in acute pain management.”

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