A New Way to Manage Pain

A New Way to Manage Pain

A new pain medication called Journavx gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval last month, January 2025, making it a first new type of non-opioid analgesic, for the treatment of acute pain in adults. It is the first type of new pain medication developed in over two decades. This could be great news for doctors with patients suffering acute pain yet are not in the business of handing out opioids. This approval will hopefully be an important advancement in pain management. In working within the industry of patients involved in motor vehicles accidents (MVAs), most of the people we see have acute pain from trauma. Allowing them a different source of pain relief that will not affect their cognitive ability to work could have profound effect. We have discussed this recently within our clinic and it is an interesting advancement everyone should be aware of. I am Dr. Aaron Workman of Chambers Medical Group, one of the highest rated car accident medical care providers in Kentucky, and I will discuss what this drug does and how it works.

Mechanism of Action:

Journavx operates by targeting specific pain-signaling pathway involving sodium channels in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). By inhibiting these channels, the drug reduces the transmission of pain signals before they reach the brain, providing relief from acute pain. This mechanism is different from that of opioids, which act on the central nervous system (CNS) and carry a risk of addiction and many other issues.

Safety:

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Journavx offers comparable pain relief to traditional opioid treatments, such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen combinations. Patients reported fewer side effects, including less itching, muscle spasms, and rashes. Common side effects observed with Journavx included nausea, constipation, and headaches, which were generally mild to moderate severity. This drug’s best trait is the effectiveness on short term pain. It will be able to help a larger base of patients without causing drowsiness and addiction problems that come with opioids.

MVA Considerations:

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), you might have suffered from a variety of different injuries that are all going to hurt. These types of injuries can include fractures, muscle sprains/strains, spinal disc injuries or soft tissue damage that cause severe pain. Proper pain management early on is important for sleep and overall recovery, and it seems this new medicine could provide a great and safer alternative to typical opioids. While opioid medicines can be very effective with pain, they carry many risks and may be hard to even obtain due to the magnifying glass that has been put on the industry. Journavx will seem to offer a safer way to manage pain, making it a great option not only for people recovering from car accident injuries, but also surgeries, or other short-term acute pain problems.

Pricing:

As with every new drug on the market, it will not be cheap. Journavx costs about $15.50 per pill, but the final price may vary based on insurance coverage and pharmacy pricing. The manufacturer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, has also announced financial assistance programs for those who need help paying for the medication. These types of assistance programs can typically be found on most pharmaceutical websites and are a great way to make newer drugs more affordable.

The FDA approval of Journavx gives doctors another tool in the belt for a non-opioid alternative. For patients recovering from MVAs, this medication could offer effective pain relief while cutting the risks associated with opioid use. As with any medication, it is important for patients to discuss their specific conditions with their healthcare provider to determine what the best strategy will be for their specific needs and overall well-being.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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