Deeper delving Nav1.8 inhibitor Suzetrigine in chronic pain

Chronic pain is a complex disorder but has no satisfactory therapeutic strategies, though its mechanisms have been extensively studied, including sodium channels such as Nav1.7 and Nav1.8. The Nav1.8 channel inhibitor Suzetrigine was approved for acute pain treatment by the FDA in 2025, while its effects in chronic pain are still not clear and remain to be further studied, considering the more complex mechanism of chronic pain. Recent studies using Suzetrigine on neuronal excitability of human dorsal root ganglion partially support its effects on chronic pain, while some case reports demonstrated discouraging effects, implying the insufficiency of solid evidence to support its effects in chronic pain and a long gap from clinical application, which may be warranted by further well-designed clinical trials. This Perspective highlighted some concerns for future studies about Suzetrigine in chronic pain.