Home Drug Guide Suzetrigine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Suzetrigine

Brand Names Journavx

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidepressant

Pharmacological: Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Major depressive disorder
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (if approved)

Mechanism of Action

Suzetrigine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their levels in the synaptic cleft, which helps improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 50-100 mg once daily, titrated as needed.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity to side effects.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose accordingly, beginning with lower doses.

Hepatic Impairment: Use caution; may require dose adjustment.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Wide distribution including CNS.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver, primarily by CYP450 enzymes.

Excretion: Excreted mainly via urine and feces.

Half Life: Approximately 12 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to Suzetrigine or components.
  • Concurrent use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with a history of suicidal ideation, especially during initial therapy.
  • Monitor for changes in mood or behavior.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Common)
  • Drowsiness (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Serotonin syndrome (Rare)
  • Increased blood pressure (Uncommon)
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors (Monitor closely, especially in young adults and adolescents.)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Serotonergic agents (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans)
  • MAOIs

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Limit alcohol intake.
  • Avoid grapefruit juice which may alter metabolism.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • St. John's Wort (risk of serotonin syndrome)

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor mood, suicidal thoughts, blood pressure, and adverse effects.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for suicidal behavior
  • Ineffective coping

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, monitor vital signs, and assess for adverse reactions.

Evaluation: Assess therapeutic response and side effects regularly.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Do not discontinue abruptly.
  • Report unusual changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts.
  • Avoid alcohol and hazardous activities until stabilized.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults

Genetic Factors: Genetic variations in CYP2D6 may affect metabolism.

Lab Test Interference: May affect blood pressure readings.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tremor, agitation, somnolence, seizures.

Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal if early, seizure management, and monitoring in a medical setting.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.