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Overview: Journavx is used for pain that is not long lasting. Itching is a common side effect. Take your very first dose of Journavx at least one hour before or two hours after eating to help the medicine start working right away. You can then take medicine with or without food, as long as the food is not grapefruit. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you use or stop using while taking Journavx.

Uses

What is Journavx used for?

Journavx (suzetrigine) is commonly taken to treat pain that often comes on quickly and lasts a short time, also called acute pain.

Journavx may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

Managing Acute Pain With Journavx

How does Journavx work (mechanism of action)?

Journavx blocks certain sodium channels. These sodium channels are involved in how pain signals get sent to your brain. By blocking certain sodium channels, Jouravx stops pain signals to your brain. This helps reduce the amount of pain you feel. 

How is Journavx supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Journavx

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 50 mg oral tablets

How should I store Journavx?

Journavx should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Journavx?

The most common side effects of Journavx are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Journavx that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Journavx?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Journavx are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Journavx may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Journavx and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Journavx?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Journavx.

  • Journavx
  • Suzetrigine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Journavx.

Drug Interactions. Journavx should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Journavx, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Journavx before using it?

Do not take Journavx unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Journavx with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Journavx out of the reach of children.

Do not crush or chew Journavx tablets. Swallow the whole tablets.

To help your medicine work right away, take your very first dose of Journavx on an empty stomach. This means take your first dose at least one hour before or two hours after eating. You can drink clear liquids, such as water, tea, or coffee. All other Journavx doses can be taken with or without food. 

Journavx can reduce how well certain types of birth control work. You may need to use a backup birth control or a different type of birth control while you are taking Journavx and for 28 days after your last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about your best birth control option while taking Journavx.

Journavx can make it hard for you to get pregnant. This problem will likely go away when you stop taking Journavx. If you use birth control, continue it while you take Journavx. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Journavx?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Journavx is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you have severe kidney problems or if you have any of the following.

Liver Problems. Journavx should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Journavx could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Journavx passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Journavx while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Journavx?

For more information about Journavx, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.journavx.com or call them at 877-634-8789.

Interactions

Does Journavx interact with foods or drinks?

Avoid foods or drinks that have grapefruit in them while you are taking Journavx. Eating or drinking grapefruit while taking Journavx may increase your risk of side effects. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Journavx.

Does Journavx interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Journavx.

  • Clarithromycin, erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), or ciprofloxacin (Cipro), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), fluconazole (Diflucan), voriconazole (Vfend), or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • A protease inhibitor, such as ritonavir (Norvir), tipranavir (Aptivus), atazanavir (Reyataz), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), or nelfinavir (Viracept), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others) or midazolam (Seizalam, Nayzilam), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Journavx, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Journavx. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Journavx?

If you or someone else has used too much Journavx, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Journavx?

Try not to miss a dose. Use a calendar or other reminder system to help you remember to take your medicine. Before starting this medicine, talk with your healthcare provider about what to do if you miss a dose. What you will need to do depends on the health of your liver and other medicines you take. Make sure that your healthcare provider knows about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

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