On January 30, 2025, the FDA approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Journavx (suzetrigine) for short-term pain relief following surgery or injuries. This marks the first new pain treatment approved in over 20 years, a significant milestone in pain management. Two studies involving over 870 patients demonstrated that Journavx provided more relief than a placebo, although it was less effective than the commonly used opioid-acetaminophen combination. Unlike traditional opioids that bind to brain receptors, Journavx works by blocking pain signaling proteins, which aims to eliminate the risks of addiction associated with opioid use. Common side effects reported include nausea and constipation. Despite previous disappointing results in chronic pain trials, Vertex Pharmaceuticals plans to conduct further studies to explore the drug's potential. This development comes at a crucial time as the healthcare industry seeks safer alternatives to opioids amid the ongoing addiction crisis. [a4e11abd]