Journavx is approved to treat moderate-to-severe acute pain in adults, such aspain following surgeryor injury.
Suzetrigine, the active ingredient in Journavx, belongs to a class of medications called NaV1.8 pain signal inhibitors.
The drug works by blocking pain signals in peripheral nerves before they reach the brain.
Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Unlike opioids, it doesnt carry a risk of addiction.
About 40 million of them are prescribed opioids.
While common painkillers like ibuprofen carry few side effects, theyre not potent enough to relieve severe pain.
Opioids, though effective, can cause serious side effects and carry a high potential for misuse.
How Effective Is Journavx?
This medication significantly lessened acute pain intensity in the pain models studied, Argoff said.
What Are the Side Effects of Journavx?
Journavx was generally safe and well tolerated in the clinical trials.
The most common adverse reactions were itch, muscle spasms, and rash.
Additionally, people taking Journavx should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they can reduce its effectiveness.
(The same is true with some cholesterol-lowering drugs.)
Typically, it takes one to three years to collect real-world data.
How Much Does Journavx Cost?
This will make it much more expensive than some opioid drugs.
Would Journavx Work for Chronic Pain?
The company aims to proceed to a phase 3 trial.
Clinical trials showed it provides similar pain relief to opioids, but with fewer side effects.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals.Suzetrigine (VX-548) ASA update.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves novel non-opioid treatment for moderate to severe acute pain.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals.Vertex announces results from phase 2 study of suzetrigine for the treatment of painful lumbosacral radiculopathy.
Vardeh D, Mannion RJ, Woolf CJ.Toward a mechanism-based approach to pain diagnosis.J Pain.
2016;17(9 Suppl):T50-T69.
