Health security

What you should know about Dsuvia, the new opioid drug 10 times stronger than fentanyl

An average of 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet, even as the nation experiences an opioid crisis and opioid drugs flood the market — including fentanyl, a major cause of recent overdose deaths — a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted in favor of approving a new opioid, called Dsuvia, in early October.

It’s worth noting that the advisory panel’s vote does not mean that the drug has been FDA-approved. The FDA is expected to make its final recommendation on the drug by Nov. 3. However, people on the front lines of the epidemic have been weighing in to oppose the drug, including at least one senator and one member of the advisory board.

If you haven't heard of Dsuvia before, here are some things you should know.

What is Dsuvia?
Dsuvia is a tablet form of sufentanil that’s meant to dissolve under the tongue. It's 10 times stronger than fentanyl, an opioid drug already on that market that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine.