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Dr. Don Kennedy
The New FDA-Approved Pain Medication That’s Changing How Doctors Treat Nerve Pain
Why This New Treatment Could Replace Traditional Pain Medications for Good
Posted: February 11, 2025
If you’re living with nerve pain, a recent groundbreaking announcement from the FDA may give you new hope in your fight for relief.
For decades, doctors like myself have relied on opioids, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants as the go-to solution for nerve pain.
But there are some serious downsides: addiction risks, mind-numbing side effects, and the fact they don’t actually stop pain at the source (more on this in a moment).
And numerous studies have found that the most commonly prescribed medications are largely ineffective for nerve issues.1
But for the first time in 25 years, the FDA has approved a brand-new non-opioid pain medication that works in a completely different way. If you haven’t had any luck with existing treatments, this new medication could be the answer you’re looking for.
A Different Approach to Pain: Stop Pain Signals at the Source
This new drug is called suzetrigine (brand name: JouRNaVX).
What makes it different is that instead of dulling pain signals in the brain (which is what existing medications do), it works at the source by blocking the pain signals before they can even be sent to your brain.2
It targets a specific pathway in the peripheral nervous system, the part of the body responsible for transmitting pain signals.
Think of it like shutting off the alarm system before it starts blaring, instead of just muffling the noise. This is a big shift from traditional painkillers, which don’t actually stop the pain; but instead try to muffle the pain signals when they reach the brain.
Traditional Approach to Nerve Pain:
Blocks or muffles pain signals when they reach the brain
NEW Approach to Nerve Pain:
Blocks pain sensing nerves from transmitting pain messages to brain
Early studies on suzetrigine show promising results, particularly for those dealing with acute pain. Patients reported significant relief without the groggy, foggy feeling opioids often cause.
And because it does not affect the brain (unlike other pain treatments), it is not expected to have any addictive potential.
For those dealing with nerve-related discomfort—burning, tingling, numbness—this could be a major breakthrough.
Does it Cure Nerve Pain?
This is an important question, and the answer might surprise you.
While suzetrigine is highly effective at blocking pain signals, it doesn’t actually fix the underlying nerve damage causing the pain. It’s a bit like turning off the fire alarm without putting out the fire itself. The pain is silenced, but the health of the nerves remains compromised.
For true, long-term relief, it’s essential to not only block pain signals but also support your body’s ability to restore healthy nerve function. That means nourishing and protecting your nerves with the right nutrients and care.
This is where alternative approaches become incredibly valuable. While suzetrigine can provide temporary relief, there are specific nutrients you need to promote nerve regeneration, helping to address the root cause rather than just block the symptoms.
I'll have more on that in just a moment. But first, lets look at another important question...how much does this new drug cost?
Availability and Cost:
At $15.50 per 50mg pill, this new pain reliever isn’t cheap.
The recommended initial dose is 100mg, then a maintenence dose of 50mg twice daily. So, you're looking at a cost of $31/day for just the maintenance dose.3
For anyone who needs daily relief, the cost could quickly add up to hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars a month—making it financially out of reach for many people who need it most.
At $15.50 per 50mg pill, this new pain reliever isn’t cheap.
The recommended initial dose is 100mg, then a maintenence dose of 50mg twice daily. So, you're looking at a cost of $31/day for just the maintenance dose.3
For anyone who needs daily relief, the cost could quickly add up to hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars a month—making it financially out of reach for many people who need it most.
Beyond the cost, there’s also the issue of access.
Because this is a newly approved drug, it may take time for insurance companies to cover it—if they decide to cover it at all.
Beyond the cost, there’s also the issue of access.
Because this is a newly approved drug, it may take time for insurance companies to cover it—if they decide to cover it at all.
Many new medications face delays in widespread availability, leaving patients stuck waiting or paying out of pocket for relief.
And, like any new medication, the long-term effects aren’t fully known yet. While early studies are promising, time will tell whether this new drug lives up to the hype for long-term nerve pain management.
Another Way to Stop Nerve Pain at the Source AND Address Underlying Nerve Damage
Other science-backed options to consider if cost is prohibitive or new drug isn't available to you yet
So, what can you do if this new option is too expensive—or simply not available yet?
Interestingly, recent breakthroughs have revealed another powerful, science-backed approach to calming overactive nerve signals: targeting microglial cells in the nervous system.
Microglia cells play a major role in amplifying pain signals, which is why so many people with nerve pain experience burning, tingling, and discomfort even when there’s no obvious injury.
Imagine you have a smoke alarm in your house. It’s there to protect you, right? But what if it started going off all the time—even when there was no fire?
That’s exactly what happens when microglial cells go into overdrive. Normally, they act as the brain's cleanup crew, getting rid of toxins and repairing damage. But sometimes they don't know when to stop. So instead of helping, they start causing chronic inflammation in your nerves—leading to that relentless pain, tingling, and numbness you feel.
One of the most effective ways to calm these overactive microglial cells and stop pain signals at the source is through a specific antioxidant: R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA).
Studies show that R-ALA helps to naturally reduce nerve pain by switching off overactice microglia and restoring damaged nerve cells—leading to lasting relief without side effects or a massive price tag.
Even more promising? When combined with a few other key nutrients, R-ALA creates a synergistic effect that not only helps stop nerve pain, but also promotes nerve regeneration and supports nerve health (to address the underlying cause of nerve discomfort)!
Clincal Studies of R-ALA
"Alpha-lipoic acid seems to be efficient and safe, improving both clinical manifestations and nerve conduction velocity." - Source: Effects of 3-month treatment with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (G Negrisanu, University of Medicine, Timişoara)
"Treatment with R-Alpha Lipoic Acid over 3 weeks is safe and effective ..." - Source: Alpha Lipoic Acid abstract (D. Ziegler & FA Gries, Research Institute at the Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany)
"Oral treatment with R-Alpha Lipoic Acid for 5 weeks improved nerve symptoms." - Source: Oral Treatment With α-Lipoic Acid (Sydney 2 Trial, Dan Ziegler, 2006)
And yet, I'm surprised at how many doctors either don't know about it or willfully overlook this approach to nerve pain.
The Bottom Line
While the new FDA-approved drug is an exciting advancement, it’s not the only way to stop nerve pain at the source.
If you’re looking for an effective, research-backed alternative that doesn’t come with a sky-high price tag, it’s worth exploring how R-ALA—combined with key nerve-supporting vitamins like methylcobalamin and benfotiamine—can provide lasting relief.
Of course, not all supplements are created equal. The right forms and dosages matter.
That’s why, when my patients ask about non-prescription options, I recommend a formula that includes the most bioavailable form of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, paired with nerve-boosting vitamins in clinically supported doses.
If you’re curious about how this approach works and whether it’s right for you, here’s a helpful resource to explore:
Here’s to feeling better,
Dr. Don Kennedy
About Dr. Kennedy
Dr. Don Kennedy is a board-certified physician with over 40 years of experience helping patients improve their health and well-being. As a leading advocate for nerve health and longevity, Dr. Kennedy has dedicated his career to uncovering solutions that support lasting relief from nerve discomfort. His expertise and passion for patient care have made him a trusted voice in the field of healthy aging.
Cited Sources:
1 Possidente, Carl and Rup Tandan. “A survey of treatment practices in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.” Primary care diabetes 3 4 (2009): 253-7 .
Rathmann, Wolfgang et al. “[Drug prescriptions and costs in diabetic polyneuropathy].” Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift 124 22 (1999): 681-6 .
Butler, Stephen, Eek, Daniel, Ring, Lena, Gordon, Allen and Karlsten, Rolf. "The utility/futility of medications for neuropathic pain – an observational study" Scandinavian Journal of Pain, vol. 19, no. 2, 2019, pp. 327-335. https://doi.org/10.1515/sjpain-2018-0317
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