The ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States highlights the need for novel analgesics with reduced risk of misuse, dependence, and adverse central nervous system effects. Suzetrigine (trade name Journavx), a first-in-class selective Nav1.8 (a sodium channel expressed in peripheral nociceptors) inhibitor, was approved by the FDA in early 2025 and marketed as the first non-opioid analgesic in over two decades. Current studies have shown that suzetrigine has potential in treating acute pain perioperatively for minimally to moderately painful ambulatory procedures. However, suzetrigine appears less potent than hydrocodone-acetaminophen in this context, and it remains unclear how effective suzetrigine is in treating more severe postoperative pain. Notably, all current studies are limited to short durations of treatment; further studies will be required to delineate suzetrigine’s long-term efficacy, safety, and addiction potential to be utilized in the management of chronic pain patients. This article provides a review of the current literature available on the use of suzetrigine in treating acute pain.

Background: Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Injury in premature infants is demonstrated by disrupted organ development from inflammation, oxidative stress, hypoxia, and impaired vascular maturation. Current therapies largely provide supportive care and do not directly promote tissue regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapies have emerged as a potential strategy to enhance endogenous repair across organ systems commonly affected by prematurity. Results: Evidence indicates that MSCs exert therapeutic effects primarily through transient paracrine signaling rather than long-term engraftment. Following administration, MSCs release cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that reduce inflammation, promote angiogenesis, and support tissue repair. In preclinical models of neonatal brain injury, MSC therapy has been associated with improved oligodendrocyte maturation and reduced white matter injury. Early clinical trials in neonatal encephalopathy demonstrate feasibility and short-term safety of both autologous and allogeneic cell products. However, studies remain limited by small sample sizes and short follow-up. Cell-free approaches using MSC-derived extracellular vesicles may offer similar biological benefits with potentially lower safety and regulatory concerns. Conclusions: MSC-based therapies represent a promising regenerative approach for complications of prematurity. Rigorous, large-scale trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are necessary to clarify efficacy, optimize delivery strategies, and define safety in this vulnerable population.