The drug, Journavx, from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, reduced pain after surgery in clinical trials. Experts hope it can lead to fewer opioid prescriptions.
In phase 3 clinical trials by the drugmaker, researchers looked at how well the drug worked after surgery. Patients who had undergone either tummy tucks or bunion surgery were given either suzetrigine every 12 hours; an opioid, hydrocodone, plus Tylenol every six hours; or a placebo for 48 hours after the operations.
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The dose of hydrocodone was also smaller than what is typically given after surgery, “so it’s hard to know exactly what to make of the results,” Rind said.
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I’m not saying this is 100% what it is, but if I wanted to make a less effective drug look more effective, then comparing its performance to a smaller than normal dose of an approved drug would be one way to do it.
If it’s actually effective then that’s great, there are people that need non-opiate alternatives. My worry is that it’s not and this is going to wind up being another way patients in acute pain get told to suck it up and deal by their doctors.
The placebo control is key, and it was at least statistically better than placebo.
You’re right that it’s hard to tell if it is more or less effective than hydrocodone+acetaminophen but it’s good news either way because it can potentially reduce the use of opioids and be another option.
[ . . . ]
🚩🚩🚩
I’m not saying this is 100% what it is, but if I wanted to make a less effective drug look more effective, then comparing its performance to a smaller than normal dose of an approved drug would be one way to do it.
If it’s actually effective then that’s great, there are people that need non-opiate alternatives. My worry is that it’s not and this is going to wind up being another way patients in acute pain get told to suck it up and deal by their doctors.
Sounds like someone desperately trying to not ruin future grant chances by saying “this trial is absolutely worthless”…
They seriously gave people a placebo for pain after surgery? That sounds horrible.
Everyone in all groups also had an NSAID
The people volunteered. You don’t get into a drug trial without informed consent.
bunions and tummy tucks? I want to know how it will be after a knee realignment!
The placebo control is key, and it was at least statistically better than placebo.
You’re right that it’s hard to tell if it is more or less effective than hydrocodone+acetaminophen but it’s good news either way because it can potentially reduce the use of opioids and be another option.