Suzetrigine for pain relief: Key considerations for nurses

Suzetrigine (JOURNAVX) is a novel oral medication approved in January 2025 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain in adults. It works by selectively inhibiting NaV1.8 voltage-gated sodium channels, which play a key role in pain transmission through peripheral sensory neurons. This targeted mechanism offers potential advantages over current pain management options. Clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain intensity following surgical procedures, making it a promising alternative to opioids. For nurses, suzetrigine represents an important addition to multimodal pain management strategies. Nurses play a key role in educating patients about its use, monitoring for adverse effects, and ensuring adherence to proper dosing guidelines. As suzetrigine becomes more widely available, health care professionals need to understand its benefits, risks, and proper use. This article provides an overview of its mechanism of action, adverse effects, dosing guidelines, cost considerations, and potential role in pain management.