Key takeaways:
Journavx (suzetrigine) is a non-opioid pain medication that treats acute moderate-to-severe pain. You’ll typically take 2 tablets (100 mg) for your first dose and then 1 tablet (50 mg) every 12 hours after that.
You shouldn’t take Journavx if you have severe liver or kidney problems, consume grapefruit products, or take medications that significantly interact with it.
There are ways to save on Journavx. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you purchase Journavx for as little as $30 per month. A patient assistance program is also available.
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Pain isn’t a pleasant feeling. But it does serve a purpose. It’s a warning signal that alerts you to injury or other unwanted changes in the body. It also helps you avoid harmful things, like touching a hot stove. But, if it’s not well controlled, pain can affect your mood, relationships, and ability to move throughout the day. So it’s helpful to limit pain while your body tries to heal.
Acute pain — or pain that’s relatively short lived — is typically treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or opioids. Each of these have their own pros and cons. NSAIDs can cause kidney issues and bleeding in the gut, while acetaminophen might not be the best choice for those with liver problems. Opioids, in particular, are reserved for more severe pain and have a risk of misuse and addiction.
Journavx (suzetrigine) is a newer non-opioid pain medication that blocks pain signals from traveling to the brain. It does so by interfering with specific sodium channels that are found in nerve cells throughout the body. Because it works differently than other pain medications, the hope is that it can help people avoid some of the troublesome side effects caused by NSAIDs and opioids.
A successful experience with Journavx starts with taking the right dose. Here’s an overview of what to expect with this opioid alternative that treats acute moderate-to-severe pain.
What’s the typical Journavx dosage for adults?
Journavx comes as a 50 mg oral tablet. You’ll typically start Journavx by taking 2 tablets (100 mg) at the same time. You’ll then take 1 tablet (50 mg) every 12 hours.
Your healthcare professional will let you know how long to take Journavx to keep your pain managed. Most people take it for 14 days (2 weeks) or less. In general, it’s best to take Journavx for the shortest amount of time possible.
Keep in mind: Journavx is only meant for adults. It’s not currently FDA approved for kids or teens.
Journavx dietary tips
It’s recommended to take your first Journvax dose on an empty stomach — at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. This helps it work faster and fight your pain sooner. If you need something in your stomach during this time, clear beverages, such as water and apple juice, are fine.
After your first dose, you can take Journavx with or without food. The only foods or beverages you need to avoid completely at this point are those that contain grapefruit. This is because grapefruit can block a specific enzyme that normally breaks down Journavx in the body. Higher Journavx levels can increase the chance of having side effects such as itching, muscle spasms, and rashes.
Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?
Yes, there are a few adjustments based on health conditions. For instance, liver problems, kidney issues, and certain medications can all impact how well your body processes Journavx.
Dosage for people with liver problems
Journavx is mostly broken down in the liver. If your liver isn’t working well, Journavx levels can build up in your blood. This raises the risk of side effects.
Your healthcare professional can determine the severity of your liver problems by doing a physical exam and collecting your bloodwork. If your liver problems are considered mild, you won’t need a lower dose. But if your liver problems are more pronounced, you’ll likely need to take the medication less frequently.
Let’s look at an example Journavx dosage if you have moderate liver problems.
Additional non-opioid pain relievers: If you’re not sure about Journavx (suzetrigine), explore some other non-opioid options for pain management.
How well does Journavx work? Learn more about Journavx’s effectiveness and how it compares to opioid medications in certain people.
Comparing over-the-counter options: See how nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Tylenol (acetaminophen), and topical medications stack up to each other for less severe pain.
Morning | Evening | |
|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Take 2 tablets (100 mg) on an empty stomach. Wait 12 hours to take your next dose. | Take 1 tablet (50 mg) with or without food. Wait 12 hours to take your next dose. |
Day 2 | Take 1 tablet (50 mg) with or without food. Wait 12 hours to take your next dose. | Take 1 tablet (50 mg) with or without food. Wait 12 hours to take your next dose. |
Day 3 and after | Take 1 tablet (50 mg) every 24 hours with or without food. | – |
Journavx isn’t a good choice if you have severe liver problems. It hasn’t been studied in this situation, so the risk of side effects is considered too high.
Dosage for people with kidney problems
Your body doesn’t clear much of Journavx through the kidneys. Mild or moderate kidney problems don’t require dose adjustments because of this.
Like severe liver problems, though, there are no studies available on people with severe kidney dysfunction taking Journavx. It’s best to avoid Journavx in this situation to be safe.
Drug interactions
Several medications can impact how Journavx works in your body.
Like grapefruit, certain medications can block the activity of a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. These are known as CYP3A4 inhibitors. They can increase Journavx levels and raise the risk of side effects. On the flip side, some medications can increase the activity of CYP3A4, which can decrease Journavx levels and make it less effective. These are called CYP3A4 inducers.
You should avoid taking Journavx with any “strong” CYP3A4 inhibitors, or medications that intensely block its metabolism. Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) and oral ketoconazole are two examples of many. You should also avoid it with most CYP3A4 inducers. These interactions are hard to spot on your own, so your pharmacist can tell you if any of your current medications meet this criteria.
Other medications block CYP3A4 to a lesser degree. These are known as “moderate” CYP3A4 inhibitors. A couple examples are fluconazole (Diflucan) and verapamil (Verelan). It’s OK to take Journavx with these medications, but you’ll likely need to take Journavx less frequently as a result. Your prescriber and pharmacist will tell you how and when to take Journavx in this case.
What happens if you miss a dose of Journavx?
Life happens, and sometimes you forget to take your medication. If this happens to you while taking Journavx, here’s what you should do:
If you’ve missed 1 dose: Take your missed dose as soon as possible. Take the next dose at your normal, scheduled time.
If you’ve missed 2 or more doses: Take 2 tablets (100 mg) as soon as possible. Take the next dose at your normal scheduled time.
This advice is a bit different if you have moderate liver impairment or are taking a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. If you missed a dose, you should still take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if your next dose is due within 6 hours, skip the next dose. Then resume taking Journavx at your normally scheduled times.
If you’re having trouble figuring out what to do after a missed dose, reach out to your healthcare team. If you find yourself missing several doses, pillboxes, alarms, and medication reminder apps can help keep you on track.
What should you do if you take too much Journavx?
There isn’t a specific treatment that reverses the effects of Journavx. Managing a potential Journavx overdose comes down to monitoring your body and managing potential symptoms, if they pop up.
If you think you’ve taken too much Journavx, you should immediately reach out to your prescriber. You can also contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222. They can advise you on next steps and whether you need to go to the ER to be monitored.
How to save on Journavx
There are ways to save on Journavx, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $30 for Journavx using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Journavx’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.
The bottom line
Journavx (suzetrigine) is a non-opioid pain medication that treats acute, moderate-to-severe pain. Most people take 2 tablets (100 mg) for their first dose and then 1 tablet (50 mg) every 12 hours after that. You should take your first dose on an empty stomach, but your following doses can be taken with or without food. You may need to take Journavx differently if you take certain medications, have moderate liver problems, or miss more than one dose.
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References
Amaechi, O., et al. (2021). Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain. American Family Physician.
McDonnell, A. M., et al. (2013). Basic review of the cytochrome p450 system. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2025). Pain. National Institute of Health.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2025). Journavx [package insert].
