Volume 30, Issue 172, June 2026

Suzetrigine in Acute Pain Treatment: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions

Zofia Leżańska^1♦, Joanna Sowińska¹, Mateusz Kwiatkowski¹, Karolina Siemińska¹, Katarzyna Marcinkowska¹, Natalia Paluszkiewicz¹, Sandra Bryg², Aleksandra Cieślak¹, Sara Demkow¹, Emil Pałyga¹

¹Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
²Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Józefa Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Zofia Leżańska, Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Acute pain is a constant reality in clinical practice. Patients come in because of their pain, surgeons cause it to happen, and a significant part of the care after surgery involves managing this pain. Yet the medications available for treatment are pretty much the same as always, including NSAIDs, paracetamol, local anesthetics, and opioids. There are several limitations when it comes to the use of opioid drugs, such as sedation, vomiting, or dependence. On the other hand, suzetrigine is a completely different method, since it uses a different mechanism of action. It acts on the peripheral part of the pain pathway by blocking sodium channels. Methods: A systematic review of the existing literature was conducted, comprising preclinical research and randomized phase II and III clinical trials in the acute postoperative pain setting for suzetrigine. Results: The NaV1.8 blocker showed superiority over placebo on the primary endpoint of pain intensity. In contrast to hydrocodone/acetaminophen, the findings were more varied, with some evidence of equivalence in particular operational settings but slightly reduced efficacy in others. Earlier time-to-relief and lower rescue analgesic consumption were also noted compared to placebo. Adverse events were mostly mild and transient. The data we have, however, come from short trials. Conclusions: Suzetrigine has been found to be a good potential candidate for an effective acute pain treatment, not being an opioid analgesic. Further research is needed to demonstrate its efficacy across different clinical conditions and patient populations.

Keywords: Suzetrigine; acute pain; NaV1.8; non-opioid analgesics; sodium channel inhibitors

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e97ms3898

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Published: 09 June 2026