SBI-810 Promises Opioid-level Relief Without the Need for Opioids

A new experimental painkiller is showing potential in reducing or eliminating pain without the addictive properties typically associated with widely used opioids. It also avoids common opioid-related side effects like constipation and drowsiness.

Despite a notable decline in opioid-related deaths in the U.S. from 2023 to 2024, the CDC estimates that over 48,000 people still lost their lives due to opioid use. With nearly 20% of U.S. adults reporting chronic pain, the demand for a safer alternative to opioids is increasingly evident.

A Safer, Targeted Approach to Pain Relief Without the Risks of Opioids

In recent pain research, we’ve seen a variety of innovative approaches emerge — from drugs that activate only in specific body areas when pain is present, to repurposing three older antibiotics for pain relief, using CRISPR gene-editing to boost pain resistance, exploring how diet can influence pain levels, and developing non-opioid treatments like one derived from tarantula venom.

Now, scientists at Duke University believe they’ve created a new addition to this lineup of non-addictive pain therapies. Their experimental drug, called SBI-810, targets a neurological pathway by activating a signal known as B-arrestin-2 on receptors in the brain and spinal cord.

In mouse studies, activating these receptors with SBI-810 significantly reduced pain responses from surgical wounds, nerve damage, and bone fractures. Researchers observed decreased signs of discomfort, such as less facial grimacing and protective behavior.

Because the drug targets specific receptors rather than acting broadly throughout the body like opioids do, it was able to relieve pain without producing feelings of euphoria—eliminating the potential for misuse. Additionally, the mice didn’t develop a tolerance to the drug, reducing the risk of dependency. It also avoided typical opioid side effects such as constipation, memory issues, and sedation.

According to a report from Duke University, which published the findings in the journal Cell, researchers noted that the compound’s dual action on both the central and peripheral nervous systems could represent a new kind of balance in pain treatment: strong enough to be effective, yet precise enough to avoid causing harm.

Read the Original article on: New Atlas

Read more: Research Uncovers Gout’s Real Cause, Challenging Past Assumptions