Journavx
Journavx (suzetrigine) is a non-opioid pain medication used to treat short-term, moderate-to-severe pain in adults. It works by reducing pain signals before they reach the brain. The medication comes as tablets that you take by mouth twice a day (every 12 hours). Common side effects that occurred more often in Journavx (suzetrigine) than with placebo include itching, muscle spasms, and rash.
What is Journavx (suzetrigine)?
What is Journavx (suzetrigine) used for?
- Short-term treatment of moderate-to-severe pain in adults
How Journavx (suzetrigine) works
Journavx (suzetrigine) is a sodium channel blocker. It works by reducing pain signals in your nerves from reaching your brain, which helps to relieve pain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Journavx (suzetrigine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Itching (2%)
- Muscle spasms (1%)
- Increased blood creatine phosphokinase (1%)
- Rash (1%)
Note: These side effects occurred more in people taking Journavx (suzetrigine) than in those taking a placebo in clinical studies.
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea or vomiting
More on Journavx (suzetrigine) side effects
The following Journavx (suzetrigine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Itching
- Muscle spasms
- Skin rash
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Pros and cons of Journavx (suzetrigine)
Pros
- Non-opioid option for pain relief
- Not a controlled substance
- Available as an oral tablet
Cons
- Not studied for use beyond 14 days
- Has many interactions, including CYP3A medications and some hormonal birth control
- Need to take twice a day
Pharmacist tips for Journavx (suzetrigine)
- Take your first dose of Journavx (suzetrigine) on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after food) to help it work faster. You can drink clear liquids like water, broth, or tea. After that, you can take the rest of your doses with or without food.
- Swallow Journavx (suzetrigine) tablets whole — don't crush or chew them since it might affect how well the medication works.
- Share a list of your medications with your prescriber, including prescription, over-the counter, and supplements. They can help you check for interactions with Journavx (suzetrigine).
- Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit while taking Journavx (suzetrigine) because grapefruit blocks a protein that breaks down the medication in the liver. This can cause too much of the Journavx (suzetrigine) to build up in your body, leading to more side effects.
- If you're taking hormonal birth control that has a progestin other than levonorgestrel and norethindrone, use a non-hormonal back-up method of birth control during treatment and for 28 days after stopping Journavx (suzetrigine).
- Journavx (suzetrigine) might affect the ability for you to become pregnant during treatment, but this isn't known to be permanent. If you're using birth control, continue to do so while taking this medication to prevent pregnancy.
- Tell your prescriber if you're breastfeeding. It isn't known if Journavx (suzetrigine) passes into human breast milk, but it's been found in animal milk. Your prescriber can help you weigh the risks and benefits of taking this medication while breastfeeding.
What to do if you miss a dose:
- If you don't have liver problems or don't take medications that interact with Journavx (suzetrigine), take the missed dose as soon as possible, then take your next scheduled dose at the usual time. If you miss 2 or more doses, take 100 mg (2 tablets), then take your next scheduled dose (1 tablet or 50 mg) at the usual time.
- If you have liver problems or are taking certain medications that interact with Journavx (suzetrigine), take the missed dose as soon as possible. If your next scheduled dose is within 6 hours, skip that dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
- If you aren't sure about your dosing, ask your prescriber or pharmacist.
More on Journavx (suzetrigine) tips
Common questions about Journavx (suzetrigine)
Yes. You'll need a prescription from a healthcare professional to take Journavx (suzetrigine).
No, Journavx (suzetrigine) isn't a controlled substance.
No. Journavx (suzetrigine) isn't an opioid. It's a sodium channel blocker that works differently from opioids to treat pain.
In clinical studies, Journavx (suzetrigine) effectively reduced pain after surgery. People who either had a "tummy tuck" or bunion removal felt more pain relief over 48 hours compared to those taking a placebo (sugar pill). It also appears to work as well as hydrocodone/acetaminophen in relieving pain, but not better. Talk to your prescriber if you have questions about how well Journavx (suzetrigine) might work for you.
Based on clinical studies, Journavx (suzetrigine) starts working within 30 to 60 minutes after the first dose. But it might take 2 to 4 hours to feel the full effects. To help it work faster, take your first dose on an empty stomach. After that, you can take the rest of your doses with or without food. If you don’t get the relief you expect, talk to your prescriber to see if any adjustments are needed.
There isn't enough information to know if Journavx (suzetrigine) is safe during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, speak with your prescriber right away to discuss your options.
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Risks and warnings for Journavx (suzetrigine)
Journavx (suzetrigine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Higher risk of side effects when taken with certain medications
- Risk factors: Taking medications known as strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors
Some medications, called strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors, can raise the levels of Journavx (suzetrigine) in your body, which can lead to more side effects. It's not safe to take Journavx (suzetrigine) with a strong CYPeA4 inhibitor. But if you're taking a moderate CYP3A inhibitor, your prescriber might need to lower your dose. Talk to your prescriber before starting any new medications to make sure they are safe to take together.
Effects on other medications
- Risk factors: Taking medications broken down by a protein called CYP3A
Taking Journavx (suzetrigine) with medications processed by a certain liver protein called CYP3A can make those medications less effective. This happens because Journavx (suzetrigine) speeds up how your body breaks them down. Tell your prescriber about all of the medications you take so they can check for interactions and adjust doses if needed.
Interaction with certain hormonal birth control
- Risk factors: Taking hormonal birth control containing progestins other than levonorgestrel and norethindrone
Journavx (suzetrigine) can make certain hormonal birth control less effective at preventing pregnancy. If you're taking birth control that contains a progestin other than levonorgestrel or norethindrone, use a non-hormonal back-up method (like condoms) or switch to a different birth control while taking Journavx (suzetrigine) and for 28 days after stopping.
Higher risk of side effects in people with liver problems
- Risk factors: History of moderate-to-severe liver problems
Some people with liver problems have a higher risk of side effects from Journavx (suzetrigine) because their liver might not break down the medication as well. This can cause too much medication to build up in the body. Talk to your prescriber if you have a history of liver problems. They might need to lower your dose or recommend a safer option.
Journavx (suzetrigine) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50mg | 30 tablets | $30.00 | $1.00 |
Typical dosage for Journavx (suzetrigine)
The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after food). After 12 hours, take 50 mg by mouth every 12 hours, with or without food.
Your dose might differ if you have liver problems or are taking certain medications that interact with Journavx (suzetrigine).
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How much does Journavx (suzetrigine) cost?
$30.00
Journavx (suzetrigine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Journavx (suzetrigine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Taking Journavx (suzetrigine) with medications known as strong CYP3A inhibitors
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