Non-opioid analgesics are widely used today to relieve mild to moderate headaches, menstrual pain, joint pain, and acute viral respiratory infections. However, with long-term use, these drugs can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and blood formation disorders.
Tatiana Kalyuta, Director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Clinical and Biomedical Research at Saratov State Medical University, stated, “The widely known and used non-opioid analgesics often cause side effects when used long-term, so the main goal of development is to produce an effective drug with improved efficacy compared to current medications.”
Kalyuta noted that the new drug has pain-relieving activity comparable to the effect of tramadol, with a significantly reduced risk of gastrointestinal disorders that can sometimes occur with long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Alexander Fedonnikov, Vice President of the university for scientific affairs, confirmed that the development of this drug will ensure its full production within Russia, enhancing the healthcare system’s independence from the importation of active substances, especially since many painkillers are considered essential medicines.
He added that the elderly, who often require pain relief, will particularly benefit from this safe medication. Kalyuta stated, “We expect that after the drug enters the civilian market, due to its low cost and high analgesic efficacy, the cost of treatment with non-opioid analgesics will decrease by 9 billion rubles annually in Russia.”
