From the Research
Journavx is used for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain in adults who require around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. This is based on the most recent evidence available, which suggests that long-term opioid treatment should be reserved for patients with chronic pain who have not responded to alternative treatments 1. The medication contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, which is delivered through a subcutaneous implant that provides continuous pain relief for up to 6 months. Key considerations for the use of Journavx include:
- The need for careful patient selection to minimize the risk of misuse, abuse, and diversion 2
- The importance of monitoring patients for signs of opioid toxicity and adjusting the dose as needed 3
- The potential benefits of Journavx in reducing the risk of misuse, abuse, and diversion compared to traditional oral opioid medications 1 Some studies have explored the use of non-opioid alternatives for chronic pain management, such as cannabis-based medicines 4, but the evidence for these treatments is generally of lower quality and more limited in scope. Overall, the use of Journavx should be guided by a careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks, as well as the availability of alternative treatment options.