Journavx (suzetrigine)

Journavx generic

Journavx is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Journavx dosage

The Journavx dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

• other medical conditions you may have
• other medications you may be taking

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug form and strength

Journavx comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in one strength of 50 milligrams (mg).

Dosage for moderate to severe pain

Journavx is approved for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults.

The typical first dose of Journavx is 100 mg taken on an empty stomach. You’ll take this dose at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating to help the drug work faster. During this time, you can drink clear liquids such as black coffee, tea, and water.

After the first dose, you’ll take 50 mg every 12 hours. You can take these doses with or without food.

Your doctor will determine how long you should continue taking Journavx. They may prescribe a different dosage depending on certain factors, including whether you have liver disease. If you have questions about the dosage that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

About taking Journavx

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

• When to take: You’ll take Journavx every 12 hours.
• If you miss a dose: If you miss one dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at its usual time. If you miss two or more doses, restart Journavx by taking 100 mg. Then take your next 50-mg dose at its usual time. Your doctor may give you different instructions if you take certain medications or have liver disease. If you’re unsure what to do, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Taking Journavx with food: Avoid eating for at least 1 hour before and 2 hours after taking your first dose of Journavx. Taking the first dose with food may delay how quickly the drug starts working. After the first dose, you can take Journavx with or without food.
• Crushing, splitting, or chewing Journavx: You’ll swallow Journavx tablets whole. The tablets should not be crushed, split, or chewed. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to this article for tips.
• Length of use: Journavx is meant to be used as a short-term treatment. It’s not typically prescribed for more than 14 days. Your doctor will determine how long you’ll take Journavx.
• Length of time to work: Journavx starts working after your first dose, but the exact timing can vary. Taking the first dose on an empty stomach helps the drug work faster. If you have questions about how quickly Journavx may work for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

Do not take more Journavx than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Journavx

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Journavx side effects

Journavx can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Journavx. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Journavx, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Journavx and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Journavx. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Journavx’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Journavx can include:

• itching
• muscle spasms
• skin rash
• increased blood levels of creatine phosphokinase (a protein found in your brain, heart, and muscles)

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Journavx weren’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials. However, they can still occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Journavx can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Journavx, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Journavx uses

The FDA approves prescription drugs such as Journavx to treat certain conditions.

Journavx for moderate to severe pain

Journavx is approved for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain in adults. It’s typically prescribed for acute (sudden or short-term) pain, such as pain after surgery or an injury.

To learn more about Journavx for pain, talk with your doctor.

Journavx and children

Journavx is not FDA approved for use in children. It’s not known whether the drug is safe or effective for children.

Journavx interactions

Journavx can interact with several other medications and certain foods. However, the drug isn’t known to interact with any supplements.

Before taking Journavx, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications and foods

Below is a list of medications and foods that can interact with Journavx. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Journavx. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is not known to interact with Journavx. Your doctor can recommend whether it’s safe to consume alcohol while taking Journavx. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Journavx cost and coupons

As with all medications, the cost of Journavx can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Journavx or need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called JOURNAVX+you Patient Support Program is available. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, visit the program website.

Generic version: Journavx is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Journavx alternatives

Other drugs are available for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Journavx, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Here are a few examples of alternatives to Journavx:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) or diclofenac (Flector, Zipsor, others)
• opioids such as hydrocodone (Hysingla ER) or oxycodone (Roxicodone, Oxycontin, others)
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Things to consider when taking Journavx

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, fertility, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “female” and “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Journavx and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Journavx should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Journavx and fertility

Journavx may cause infertility (an inability to conceive) in females. This effect may be temporary or permanent.

Journavx is not known to affect fertility in males.

If you have questions about Journavx and fertility, talk with your doctor.

Journavx and birth control

It’s not known whether Journavx is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during Journavx treatment.

Keep in mind that Journavx could make certain birth control pills less effective. Examples include:

• drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (Yasmin, Yaz, others)
• desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol (Cyclessa, Kariva, others)

Before starting Journavx, tell your doctor if you take birth control pills. They may advise you to continue your current birth control or recommend an option that doesn’t interact with Journavx.

If needed, your doctor may also suggest using a backup birth control method, such as condoms. You may need to use a backup method during treatment and for at least 28 days after your final dose.

If you have questions about birth control while taking Journavx, talk with your doctor.

Journavx and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Journavx should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

How Journavx works

Keep reading to learn about the mechanism of action for Journavx. (A drug’s mechanism of action is how it works in your body.)

Journavx is a pain medication used for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe pain.

Journavx works differently from other pain medications, such as NSAIDs and opioids. It belongs to a group of drugs called sodium channel blockers. By blocking sodium channels in nerves, Journavx helps prevent pain signals from traveling through your body.

If you have other questions about how Journavx works, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website.