Journavx (suzetrigine) can cause side effects ranging from mild to serious. More common side effects include muscle spasms and itchiness. If side effects from Journavx become difficult to tolerate, ask your doctor about coping tips or treatment options.

Doctors prescribe Journavx for adults to treat moderate to severe acute (sudden, short-term) pain.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Journavx can cause.

Journavx can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Journavx’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • itchiness
  • muscle spasms or cramps
  • increased creatine phosphokinase, which is a type of protein found in the brain, heart, and skeletal muscles
  • skin rash

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects have been reported with Journavx. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily manageable. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Journavx treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Journavx may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Journavx may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Journavx’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Journavx, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911. Or call your local emergency number right away.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

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 medication safer for everyone. It gives doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Journavx and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

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

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

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Journavx treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911. Or call your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Journavx. If you have, they may switch you to a different treatment.

You may be able to do some things to help make certain Journavx side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Muscle spasms or cramps

Muscle spasms or cramps were common side effects reported in studies of Journavx. You can try certain things to manage symptoms associated with this side effect. One is to apply a hot compress or cold compress to your sore muscles at the first sign of a spasm. Another is to stretch the affected muscle.

Itchiness

Itchiness was a common side effect reported in studies of Journavx. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • applying hypoallergenic and unscented moisturizers to your skin
  • applying an over-the-counter topical cream, such as calamine lotion, to the affected area
  • taking a cold or lukewarm bath with baking soda, Epsom salt, or colloidal oatmeal to help soothe itchy skin
  • covering itchy areas, such as wearing long-sleeve shirts if your arms are affected, and avoiding scratching them
  • wearing lightweight clothing to help avoid aggravating itchy skin

Hypotension

Hypotension was a rare side effect reported in studies of Journavx. Although it doesn’t always cause symptoms, you might notice:

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • staying hydrated
  • standing or sitting up slowly, which may help ease dizziness
  • moving around or sitting for a while if standing for long periods

If you experience any of the symptoms listed here during treatment with Journavx, tell your doctor. They can try to determine the cause and recommend appropriate medical treatment, if needed.

Journavx may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

What is Journavx?

Journavx is a brand-name prescription oral tablet that belongs to the drug group called sodium channel blockers. Doctors prescribe it to treat moderate to severe acute (sudden, short term) pain in adults. Doctors typically don’t prescribe Journavx for more than 14 days.

Journavx can interact with some medications and foods. It also has some precautions.

Does Journavx have contraindications?

Yes, it does. A contraindication is a health condition or another factor that could raise your risk of harm if you take the drug. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Journavx for you.

Journavx is contraindicated for use along with strong CYP3A inhibitors. (CYP3A inhibitors reduce the activity of the CYP3A liver enzyme in the body.) Some of these drugs are HIV medications, antibiotics for bacterial infections, or antifungals for fungal infection. Examples of CYP3A inhibitors are:

  • clarithromycin
  • indinavir (Crixivan, others)
  • ritonavir (Norvir, others)
  • adagrasib (Krazati, others)
  • voriconazole
  • tucatinib (Tukysa, others)

Taking strong CYP3A inhibitors during Journavx treatment can increase the risk of side effects from Journavx.

The manufacturer of Journavx also notes that you should avoid foods and beverages containing grapefruit during Journavx treatment. The juice of grapefruit is a CYP3A inhibitor. It can increase the level of Journavx in the blood to unsafe levels, which can increase the risk of harmful side effects.

Before starting treatment with Journavx, tell your doctor all medications you’re currently taking. They can determine whether they’re safe to take with Journavx.

Before taking Journavx, discuss your health history with your doctor. Journavx may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • taking any CYP3A medications
  • using hormonal birth control that contains progestins (other than levonorgestrel and norethindrone)
  • liver problems
  • past allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.