The "new narcotic pain pill" is actually a new non-opioid breakthrough called Suzetrigine, sold under the brand name JOURNAVX, approved by the FDA in early 2025 for moderate-to-severe acute pain, offering a safer, non-addictive alternative that blocks pain signals before they reach the brain, unlike traditional opioids.
The Food and Drug Administration approved a new non-opioid drug earlier this year called Journavx. It's a pill for severe acute pain that works by blocking plain signals from where someone hurts. It's offered hope for the 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from chronic pain, but it's also just out of reach.
1. Carfentanil. Carfentanil is a synthetic drug 10,000 more powerful than morphine, and 100 times more potent than medical-grade fentanyl itself.
While oxycodone and codeine have historically been among the most dispensed and widely used opioids in Australia by prescription numbers, recent data (around 2022) suggests tapentadol may have replaced oxycodone as the most commonly used opioid in some contexts, with significant usage also for tramadol, morphine, and fentanyl, though trends shift with regulations and clinical practices, highlighting oxycodone's prominence in both strong pain management and initiation, despite increasing concerns about misuse.
The first new painkiller to hit the market since 1998, suzetrigine — also known by the brand name Journavx — relieves pain without the risk of addiction that comes with opioid-based drugs.
The most powerful pain relievers are opioids, sometimes called narcotics. They include strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or morphine.
Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/fda-approval-of-vertexs-non-opioid-journavx-signals-new-era-in-pain-treatment. Vertex announces FDA approval of JOURNAVXTM (Suzetrigine), a first-in-class treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe acute pain.
Morphine. Morphine and similar drugs (like oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine) are the strongest painkillers. Some come in patch form, but all work in similar ways and are used for severe pain only.
Hydromorphone and fentanyl modified release products should also not be used in opioid naïve patients (patients who do not already use opioid medicines regularly). Fentanyl is one of the strongest opioids available in Australia.
Many more addictive painkillers and other prescription opioids are available.
Dilaudid is significantly stronger—about 4-5 times more potent than Oxycodone—making it a go-to option for treating severe, chronic pain or for patients who have developed a tolerance to other opioids. It is commonly administered in hospitals for acute pain and is available in injectable and oral forms.
Fentanyl is the strongest opioid available in medical settings, being 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Carfentanyl, a fentanyl analog is considered the most potent opioid, roughly 10,000 times stronger than morphine. Due to its extreme potency, carfentanil is rarely used in human medical treatment.
In the brain, cocaine elevates dopamine levels, resulting in a euphoric feeling that is distinctive from the high and pleasurable feelings produced by other drugs.
It's crucial to seek professional help when chronic pain becomes too much to handle on your own. Persistent pain can lead to a decline in physical function, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.
Medical experts say suzetrigine, which is made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is not addictive because it works by blocking pain signals that originate in the peripheral nervous system, before they reach the brain.
Pills. NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.
Oxycodone is a pharmaceutical opioid commonly used for the management of pain. Common brands of oxycodone include Oxycontin, Oxynorm and Endone. There are also oxycodone products that also contain naloxone (e.g. Targin).
Medicines that work best for acute low back pain are Paracetamol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
Opioids. Opioid medications are synthetic cousins of opium and the drugs derived from opium such as heroin and morphine. These medications are typically prescribed for pain that's new, known as acute pain. Acute pain can stem from an injury, such as surgery or a broken bone.
No, oxycodone is significantly stronger and more potent than tramadol, which is why oxycodone is used for severe pain and classified as a higher-risk Schedule II drug, while tramadol is for moderate pain and is a Schedule IV drug, though tramadol offers unique pain relief by affecting serotonin/norepinephrine alongside opioid receptors, making it effective but less potent.
Opioids. Opioids include drugs like morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine. They are most often used for acute pain, and may be given right after surgery. These medicines can be safely used for short periods.
This new oral painkiller — the first approved by the FDA in more than 20 years — could offer an alternative to highly addictive opioids. Journavx could be a treatment alternative for patients with severe acute pain, such as injured athletes who visit an ER.
To avoid red flags with your pain doctor, don't demand specific drugs (like opioids), exaggerate or downplay pain, claim "not an addict," or bring up online research as definitive; instead, be specific about pain's impact, use descriptive words, show you're open to all treatments (medication, therapy, lifestyle), and focus on functional goals like resuming activities, not just getting a prescription.
Biological treatments, such as adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab, are a newer form of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.