The Pharm So Hard Emergency Medicine & Hospital Pharmacy Podcast Episode 121. Journavix: A New Era in Non-Opioid Pain Management?
Feb 5, 2025
A groundbreaking non-opioid pain medication, Journavix, is celebrated as the first of its kind in over 20 years. Experts discuss its unique sodium channel blocking mechanism and analyze clinical trial data showcasing its efficacy and safety. They delve into potential side effects and drug interactions, emphasizing its significance for pain management in emergency settings. The conversation also highlights cost implications, accessibility challenges, and the medication's potential to mitigate addiction risks while providing effective pain relief.
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First Non-Opioid Pain Pill in 20 Years
- Journavix is the first non-opioid pill for moderate to severe acute pain approved in over 20 years.
- The last pain medication approved in this category was Celebrex.
Mechanism of Action
- Journavix, unlike nonspecific sodium channel blockers, targets NAV1.8 in the peripheral nervous system.
- This targeted approach potentially avoids CNS side effects and addiction risks associated with opioid therapy.
Comparison to Lidocaine
- Jimmy Pruitt compares Journavix to lidocaine, a sodium channel blocker used for renal colic.
- He sees Journavix as an oral form of lidocaine without CNS penetration and related side effects.