2025 Breakthrough
JOURNAVX (suzetrigine) was FDA-approved January 30, 2025—the first new class of pain medication in over two decades. It works differently from opioids with no addictive potential.
JOURNAVX (Suzetrigine): A New Class of Pain Medication
What Makes It Different
- Mechanism: Highly selective NaV1.8 pain signal inhibitor
- Location: Does not enter the central nervous system
- Addiction potential: None—not an opioid, not controlled
- Target: Blocks pain signals at the peripheral nerve level
Current Approval
- Approved for: Acute pain only (as of early 2025)
- Studies underway for: Diabetic neuropathy, painful radiculopathy
- Cost: Approximately $15 per pill without insurance
What This Means for Chronic Pain
While currently only approved for acute pain, studies are ongoing for chronic conditions. This represents hope for:
- Non-addictive alternative to opioids
- New mechanism that may help patients who haven't responded to other treatments
- Validation that the field is actively pursuing better pain solutions
Neuromodulation Advances (2025)
Neuromodulation—using electrical or magnetic stimulation to alter pain signaling—is advancing rapidly:
Deep Brain Stimulation
Research targeting multiple brain regions simultaneously for treatment-resistant chronic pain.
AI-Powered Spinal Cord Stimulation
Personalized stimulation patterns that adapt to individual responses using artificial intelligence.
Non-Invasive Transcutaneous Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation through the skin—no surgery required.
Remote Monitoring Integration
Connected devices allowing providers to adjust treatment remotely based on real-time data.
Psychedelic Research
An emerging area of investigation for chronic pain:
- Psilocybin therapy: Under investigation for chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia at Stanford and UCSF
- Proposed mechanism: Serotonin 2A receptor activation causing "reset" of functional connectivity in brain pain regions
- Status: Still in clinical trials; not yet approved for pain
Stem Cell Therapy
2024 saw a surge in research for:
- Chronic back pain
- Osteoarthritis-related pain
- Neuropathic pain applications
Caution About Stem Cell Clinics
Many stem cell treatments marketed for pain are not FDA-approved and lack rigorous evidence. Be wary of clinics offering unproven treatments for high costs. Ask about FDA approval status and published clinical trial data.
Biomarker Development
One of the most exciting developments for addressing the gender pain gap:
- Tufts University received $3.03 million to develop wearable technology identifying 5+ reliable pain-linked biomarkers
- Potential impact: Objective pain measurement could address bias in pain assessment
- Timeline: Still in development
Objective biomarkers could be game-changing for women whose pain is dismissed as psychological.
Finding Clinical Trials
Participating in clinical trials can provide access to new treatments:
Primary Resource
ClinicalTrials.gov—free database searchable by condition, location, age, and sex.
NIH HEAL Initiative
The Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative maintains a comprehensive pain management clinical studies database including:
- Specialized networks for back pain
- Acute-to-chronic pain transition studies
- Pain management effectiveness research
Current Active Trials for Women
- Pelvic venous disease embolization (EMBOLIZE study)
- Vestibulodynia treatments (UPDATe study at Duke, UCLA, UNC)
- Fibromyalgia CBT and meditation interventions
- Long COVID rehabilitation protocols
Key Statistics to Know
- 24.3% of U.S. adults had chronic pain in 2023
- 25.4% of women vs 23.2% of men—women more affected
- 70% of chronic pain patients are women
- $560-635 billion: Annual cost of chronic pain in the U.S. (exceeds cancer, heart disease, diabetes combined)
- 83% of people with high-impact chronic pain are unable to work
- 5 years: Average time to receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis
- 9 years: Average diagnostic delay for endometriosis
The Future Is Promising
Research is advancing on multiple fronts:
- New medication classes beyond opioids
- Personalized medicine approaches
- Objective biomarkers for pain
- Better understanding of sex differences in pain
- Increased female inclusion in clinical trials
Stay Informed
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