Suzetrigine
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Journavx
- Brand Names
- Journavx
- Drug Class
- Sodium Channel Blocker [EPC]
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- TABLET, FILM COATED
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION The active ingredient in JOURNAVX (suzetrigine) tablets is suzetrigine, a sodium channel blocker, which has the following chemical name: 4-[(2 R ,3 S ,4 S ,5 R )-3-(3,4-difluoro-2-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dimethyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)oxolane-2-amido]pyridine-2-carboxamide. Its molecular formula is C 21 H 20 F 5 N 3 O 4 . Suzetrigine's molecular weight is 473.39 g/mol. Suzetrigine has the following structural formula: Suzetrigine is a white to off-white solid and is practically insoluble in water. JOURNAVX is available as a blue, film-coated tablet for oral administration containing 50 mg of suzetrigine and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose acetate succinate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose. The tablet film coat contains FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol-partially hydrolyzed, talc, and titanium dioxide. Chemical Structure
What Is Suzetrigine Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE JOURNAVX is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain, including postoperative pain, in adults. JOURNAVX is a sodium channel blocker indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain, including postoperative pain, in adults. ( 1 )
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Swallow JOURNAVX tablets whole and do not chew or crush. ( 2.1 ) Recommended starting JOURNAVX oral dose is 100 mg. Take the starting dose on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Clear liquids may be consumed during this time (e.g., water, apple juice, vegetable broth, tea, black coffee). ( 2.1 ) Starting 12 hours after the starting dose, take 50 mg of JOURNAVX orally every 12 hours. Take these doses with or without food. ( 2.1 ) Use JOURNAVX for the shortest duration, consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Use of JOURNAVX for the treatment of acute pain has not been studied beyond 14 days. ( 2.1 ) See the full prescribing information for the recommended dosage in patients with hepatic impairment ( 2.2 ), for JOURNAVX dosage modifications with concomitant use of CYP3A inhibitors ( 2.3 ), and recommendations regarding missed dose(s). ( 2.4 ) Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with JOURNAVX. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage and Administration Instructions Swallow JOURNAVX tablets whole and do not chew or crush. The recommended starting dose of JOURNAVX is 100 mg orally. Take the starting dose on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food to avoid delay in onset of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Clear liquids may be consumed during this time (e.g., water, apple juice, vegetable broth, tea, black coffee). Starting 12 hours after the initial dose, take 50 mg of JOURNAVX orally every 12 hours. Take these doses with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with JOURNAVX [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. Use JOURNAVX for the shortest duration, consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Use of JOURNAVX for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain has not been studied beyond 14 days. 2.2 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Hepatic Impairment The recommended dosage of JOURNAVX in patients with hepatic impairment is described in Table 1. Table 1: Recommended JOURNAVX Dosage in Patients with Hepatic Impairment Degree of Hepatic Impairment (HI) Recommended Dosage Severe HI (Child-Pugh Class C) Avoid use [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ]. Moderate HI (Child-Pugh Class B) Dose 1 : The recommended starting dose of JOURNAVX is 100 mg taken orally. Take the starting dose on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Clear liquids may be consumed during this time (e.g., water, apple juice, vegetable broth, tea, black coffee). Doses 2, 3, and 4 : Starting 12 hours after the initial dose, take 50 mg of JOURNAVX orally every 12 hours. Take these doses with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Dose 5 and Subsequent Doses : Starting 12 hours after Dose 4, take 50 mg of JOURNAVX orally every 24 hours. Take these dose(s) with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Mild HI...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (greater incidence in JOURNAVX-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients) were pruritus, muscle spasms, increased creatine phosphokinase, and rash. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated at 1-877-634-8789 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety profile of JOURNAVX is primarily based on data from the pooled, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trials in 874 adult patients with moderate to severe acute pain following full abdominoplasty (Trial 1) and bunionectomy (Trial 2) [see Clinical Studies (14) ] , with supportive safety data from one single arm trial in 256 adult patients with moderate to severe acute pain in a broad range of acute pain conditions (Trial 3). In Trials 1 and 2, 874 patients received at least one dose of JOURNAVX. The proportion of patients in Trials 1 and 2 who discontinued study drug prematurely due to adverse events was: 0.6% in JOURNAVX-treated patients (postprocedural hematoma [0.2%], hypotension [0.2%], syncope [0.1%]), 0.6% in hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen (HB/APAP)-treated patients (hypotension/orthostatic hypotension [0.2%], migraine [0.1%], intra-abdominal hematoma [0.1%], nausea [0.1%], pyrexia [0.1%]), and 0.2% in placebo-treated patients (hypotension [0.2%], tachycardia [0.2%]). The safety profile of JOURNAVX was also evaluated by the following subgroup analyses: age (≥ 18 to < 65 years and ≥ 65 years), sex, and race. Since most patients enrolled in the clinical trials were ≥ 18 to < 65 years of age, female, and white, there was insufficient data to detect differences in safety signals between these subgroups. Table 2 displays adverse reactions that occurred more frequently in JOURNAVX-treated patients than placebo-treated patients in the pooled Trials 1 and 2. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥1% of JOURNAVX-Treated Patients and Greater than Rate of Placebo in Two 48-hour Trials in Moderate to Severe Acute Pain (Trials 1 and 2, Pooled) Adverse Reactions (Preferred Term) Placebo (N = 438) n (%) JOURNAVX (N = 874) n (%) HB/APAP Patients received 5 mg/325 mg of oral hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen (HB/APAP) every 6 hours. (N = 879) n (%) Pruritus 7 (1.6) 18 (2.1) 30 (3.4) Muscle spasms 2 (0.5) 11 (1.3) 6 (0.7) Increased blood creatine phosphokinase 2 (0.5) 10 (1.1) 7 (0.8) Rash 2 (0.5) 10 (1.1) 6 (0.7) Nausea and Vomiting In Trial 1, the incidence of patients who experienced either nausea or vomiting was 20% in JOURNAVX-treated patients, 33% in HB/APAP-treated patients, and 25% in placebo-treated patients. In Trial 2, the incidence of patients who experienced either nausea or vomiting was 9% in JOURNAVX-treated patients, 16% in HB/APAP-treated patients, and 12% in placebo-treated patients. Laboratory Abnormalities Creatine Phosphokinase Elevations: In Trials 1 and 2, 2.9% of JOURNAVX-treated patients and 1.2% of placebo-treated patients had a creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level > 3 times the upper limit of normal. The incidence of increased blood CPK was 1.1% in JOURNAVX-treated patients and 0.5% in placebo-treated patients. All reports of CPK elevations occurred in the post-surgical setting. There were no associated signs or symptoms, no serious adverse reactions, and no patients required treatment discontinuation or interruption. Decreased Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate: In Trials 1 and 2, 2.5% of JOURNAVX-treated patients and 0.9% of placebo-treated patients had a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥ 25% but < 50%. Follow-up eGFR data for these controlled trials was not available after treatment discontinuation....
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Strong and Moderate CYP3A inhibitors : Concomitant use with strong CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated. Reduce the JOURNAVX dose when used concomitantly with moderate CYP3A inhibitors. Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit. ( 2.3 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) Strong and Moderate CYP3A inducers : Avoid JOURNAVX use with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. ( 7.1 , 12.3 ) CYP3A substrates : If JOURNAVX is used concomitantly with sensitive CYP3A substrates or CYP3A substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to loss of efficacy, refer to the Prescribing Information for the CYP3A substrates for dosing instructions. Dosage modification of the concomitant CYP3A substrates may be required when initiating or discontinuing JOURNAVX. ( 7.2 , 12.3 ) Hormonal contraceptives : JOURNAVX-treated patients using hormonal contraceptives containing progestins other than levonorgestrel and norethindrone should use an additional nonhormonal contraceptive method or an alternative hormonal contraceptive during concomitant use and for 28 days after JOURNAVX discontinuation. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on JOURNAVX Table 3 describes drug interactions where concomitant use of another drug affects the use of JOURNAVX. Table 3: Drug Interactions: Concomitant Use of Other Drugs that Affect the Use of JOURNAVX Strong and Moderate Food or drink containing grapefruit should be avoided during treatment with JOURNAVX. CYP3A Inhibitors Prevention or Management Strong CYP3A inhibitors: Concomitant use of JOURNAVX with strong CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Moderate CYP3A inhibitors: Reduce the JOURNAVX dosage [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Suzetrigine and M6-SUZ are CYP3A substrates. Strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors increase suzetrigine and M6-SUZ (active metabolite of suzetrigine) exposures [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ], which may cause JOURNAVX adverse reactions . Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inducers Prevention or Management Avoid concomitant use of JOURNAVX with strong and moderate CYP3A inducers. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Suzetrigine and M6-SUZ are CYP3A substrates. Concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers results in reduced exposures of suzetrigine and M6-SUZ, which may result in reduced JOURNAVX efficacy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 Effect of JOURNAVX on Other Drugs CYP3A Substrates If JOURNAVX is used concomitantly with sensitive CYP3A substrates or CYP3A substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to loss of efficacy, refer to the Prescribing Information for the CYP3A substrates for dosing instructions. Dosage modification of the concomitant CYP3A substrates may be required when initiating or discontinuing JOURNAVX [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Suzetrigine is an inducer of CYP3A. Concomitant use with JOURNAVX may reduce the exposure of sensitive CYP3A substrates which...
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Concomitant use of JOURNAVX with strong CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Concomitant use with strong CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated. ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on the use of JOURNAVX during pregnancy to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies in rats, effects on implantation and maintenance of pregnancy occurred at oral suzetrigine doses of ≥ 2.2-times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) when administered during early embryonic development or throughout organogenesis. In a pre- and postnatal development study, reduced mean gestation length and increased postnatal pup mortality were observed at maternal rat exposures of 1.6-times the MRHD and decreased rat pup body weights were observed during the period of birth to weaning at maternal exposures of 2.2-times the MRHD. No malformations were observed when suzetrigine was administered orally to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 2.2- and 5.9-times, respectively, the MRHD. The clinical relevance of these findings is unclear. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in patients with moderate to severe acute pain is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Suzetrigine was administered orally to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.6-, 3.1-, and 5.9-times, respectively, the steady state MRHD exposure based on AUC). Increased post-implantation loss and lower fetal body weight were observed at 200 mg/kg/day, which is a dose that also caused maternal toxicity. No adverse embryofetal effects were observed at doses up to 100 mg/kg. Suzetrigine was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg/day (approximately...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE No specific antidote is available for overdose with JOURNAVX. Treatment of overdose consists of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient. Consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdose management recommendations.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING JOURNAVX (suzetrigine) tablets are supplied as blue, film-coated, oblong tablets containing 50 mg of suzetrigine. Each tablet is debossed with the characters "VX50" on one side and plain on the other, and is packaged as follows: 30-count bottle NDC 51167-548-30 100-count bottle NDC 51167-548-31 100-count Hospital Unit Dose Carton (10 blister cards, each containing 10 tablets) NDC 51167-548-34 Store at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C); excursions permitted to 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.