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I am starting a new discussion about Suzetrigine a novel drug for pain
ok...So here's what I know and what I think is true. This drug was FDA fast tracked. The results of the phase 3 clinical trial for acute pain were very good. It was on track to be approved on 1/30/25 but due to an executive order regarding FDA communications it is not clear if the FDA will be allowed to release the approval or not.
https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/pain/opioid-alternatives
Vertex completed a phase 2 study and the results were inconclusive due to poor study design. After reviewing the results it is my opinion if a better designed phase 3 is approved the results will be similar to the study for acute pain. This is the first new non-opioid pain medicine in 20 years.
Once it is approved I plan on insisting my doctor writes an off label script so I can try it even though my pain, like your's is chronic. The side effect profile is excellent..i.e. there were actually MORE side effects in the placebo arm of the study... doesn't get better than that.
That being said, there is no information on the side effects for chronic pain, which would require long term use but after reviewing the research i will take a chance.
I am not sure about how the medicare coverage will work, but once it is approved I will look into it and share with you here. I think they may have to pay for it if your doctor writes a script off label or not.
https://www.nopainpact.com/pdf/Nopain_Act_Guide_Implementing.pdf
This has the potential for being a game changer so I think we need to educate our doctors and do
our own research.
Please let me know if I can provide links to more information that might help you.
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@kdks99 I sent the drugs.com article to my doctor and she said to let her know when it is available in Canada, “then we’ll discuss it”. I don’t know of a Canadian drug information site like drugs.com so I don’t know where else to look. 🤷🏼♀️
@cynthiaw - drugs.com is an independent drug information site, and quite reliable, I believe …
https://www.drugs.com/journavx.html
If you believe the drug hasn’t been tested enough just don’t try it.
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3 ReactionsSuzetrigine (marketed as Journavx) is currently only FDA-approved to treat moderate to severe acute pain and is not approved for chronic pain, although research is ongoing to investigate its potential use in chronic pain conditions.
This drug will be valuable for post op pain because it is non addictive. I had high hopes for this drug as I was hoping to get off Gabapentin but at $15.50 a pill twice a day, this will be out of reach for me as a Canadian.
@joannehart Inwonder if you could claim the cost on your income tax return …? Of course, the up front financial cost may not be feasible …
Yes, we can claim this drug on the income tax because it is it is ordered by a doctor. As I am Canadian, the cost is way too much. It is not available in Canada so I would have to get it prescribed by a doctor in the US
@joannehart I am going to wait till it is approved in Canada.
Good idea. It will take years for the cost to go down. I probably won’t see it in my life time
@joannehart if it is approved here, hopefully OHIP will cover it. I am 78 and get ODB. If OHIP doesn’t cover it, I guess I will have to do without it. Can’t afford the up front cost.