Suzetrigine and the future of analgesia: A new non-opioid approach to pain management

Introduction

Pain remains one of the most prevalent health problems worldwide and a major cause of disability, reduced quality of life and healthcare utilization. Although opioid analgesics have long been considered the cornerstone of treatment for moderate-to-severe pain, their use is associated with substantial risks, including tolerance, dependence, addiction and overdose. Consequently, the development of effective non-opioid analgesics has become a priority in pain medicine. Suzetrigine (VX-548), a selective voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.8 inhibitor, has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic option for acute pain management.