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2026.10.06
Who Is a Good Candidate for Jarnavax? Cases to Consider for Pain Management in Cosmetic Surgery
He is also a leader outside of the clinic, serving as president of Creation Labo, producer of cutting edge, and board member of the Japanese Society of Cosmetic Internal Medicine. She is also active as a leader outside the clinic, serving as the president of Creation Labo, producer of Cutting Edge, and board member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Internal Medicine. She aims to go beyond satisfaction to inspiration. He is a game changer in the world of aesthetic medicine, proposing Lifestyle Beauty that transcends the boundaries of aesthetic medicine.
Many people worry about pain after surgery or are anxious about whether they’ll experience discomfort once they get home and the anesthesia wears off.
JOURNAVX™ is not just a medication used only after pain sets in following surgery; it is a method of pain management that begins with oral administration before surgery, is combined with the necessary anesthesia during surgery, and continues through the postoperative period.
At BIANCA CLINIC, we consider the use of anesthesia after assessing the expected level of pain, the details of the surgery, the type of anesthesia, the patient’s medical history, and any medications they are currently taking.
In this article, Dr. Kazuyoshi Hotta, the chairman, explains when Journalax might be an option and what is assessed during a consultation.
Who is JournalBax best suited for?
Jarbax may be an option when relatively severe acute pain is expected after surgery, or when the goal is to manage pain from before surgery through the post-operative recovery period at home.
- I'm worried about how much pain I'll experience after surgery.
- I want to be prepared for pain before the surgery
- Even though I can have anesthesia during the surgery, I'm worried about the pain after I get home.
- I would like to explore other pain management options, including those that do not rely on opioids.
- I have had painful experiences with previous surgeries or medical procedures
Individuals undergoing cosmetic surgery that is expected to cause relatively severe pain
At Bianca Clinic, we are considering using this treatment primarily for surgical procedures—such as liposuction, breast augmentation, facelifts, and rhinoplasty—where relatively severe postoperative pain is expected.
However, the treatment name alone does not determine whether a patient is a suitable candidate.
Even for the same surgery, the extent of the procedure, the level of invasiveness, and the perception of pain can vary, so we will assess the actual level of pain to be expected before making a decision.
For those who want to be prepared before surgery, rather than waiting until pain sets in
When used in connection with surgery, patients should begin taking Jarnavax before the procedure.
During surgery, we combine local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia depending on the procedure, and patients continue taking oral medication as needed after surgery.
|
Timing |
Medication and Pain Management |
|---|---|
|
2 to 3 hours before surgery |
Take 100 mg (2 tablets of 50 mg each) on an empty stomach. |
|
During surgery |
Local, intravenous, and general anesthesia may be used in combination as needed |
|
12 hours after the first dose |
Take 50 mg (1 tablet) |
|
The next morning and beyond |
Continue taking 50 mg every 12 hours as needed |
By viewing the entire process—from preoperative to postoperative care—as a single continuum, we can effectively manage pain.
However, Journalax is not a "substitute for anesthesia."
This approach combines methods with different roles before, during, and after surgery to provide comprehensive pain management.
You will begin to feel pain relief approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour after taking this medication, and the analgesic effect typically lasts about 12 hours.
However, the onset and duration of the effects vary from person to person and also depend on the type of surgery and the severity of the pain.
Please follow your doctor's instructions for taking this medication.
For those who want to consider pain management options, including alternatives to opioids
Jarnavax is a non-opioid analgesic that targets NaV1.8 in peripheral sensory neurons.
It is one option to consider when planning pain management that includes medications with mechanisms of action different from those of opioids.
However, this does not mean that “because it is a non-opioid, it is suitable for everyone” or that “using Jarnavax eliminates the need for opioids.”
For information on the differences between Journalax and opioid pain relievers, see “What Is the Difference Between Jarnavax and Opioid Pain Relievers? A Comparison of Mechanisms of Action and Addiction Potential" explains this in detail.
Also, if you'd like to learn more about how Jarbax works and its features, please see “What Is JOURNAVX™? An Explanation of This Non-Opioid Analgesic Gaining Attention in Aesthetic Medicine Pain Management"Please see [...].
If you're worried about pain, cosmetic dermatology is another option.
Although Jarnavax is primarily intended for use in cosmetic surgery, it may also be used—at the physician’s discretion—in cosmetic dermatology procedures that are highly invasive and expected to cause relatively severe pain.
In that case as well, it can be combined with anesthetic cream or local anesthesia.
Situations in Which Journalax May Not Be Suitable
Even non-opioid pain relievers are not suitable for everyone.
At Bianca Clinic, out of concern for patient safety, we generally refrain from prescribing medication to patients who fall into the following categories, or we consider its use with caution.
- Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant
- Women Who Are Breastfeeding
- People with moderate to severe liver dysfunction
- Individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in Jurnabax
- People taking medications that may interact with other drugs
- People who use certain hormonal contraceptives and find it difficult to switch to or add an appropriate method of contraception
- In addition, individuals for whom a physician determines that prescribing the medication is not appropriate from a safety perspective
Please let us know during your appointment not only about any prescription medications you are taking, but also about over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and birth control pills.
How does Bianca Clinic determine whether a patient is a candidate for Jarnabax?
We do not base our decision on whether a treatment is appropriate solely on whether a person has a low pain tolerance.
During the consultation, we will discuss the details of the surgery or procedure, the expected level of pain, the type of anesthesia to be used during the procedure, postoperative pain management, your medical history, and any medications or supplements you are currently taking.
Particularly in surgical procedures, it is important not to consider Jarnavax in isolation, but rather to develop a comprehensive pain management plan that encompasses the entire process from preoperative to postoperative care, including local anesthesia, intravenous anesthesia, general anesthesia, and other analgesics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jarnavax, an oral pain reliever that offers a new option for managing pain during cosmetic procedures.
"Can I use Journalax?" We'll answer that question for you.
Q. Is the Jarnavax a good choice for people who are sensitive to pain?
A. For patients concerned about pain, Jarnavax is one option worth considering.
However, the decision on whether to actually use it will be made after confirming the details of the surgery, the expected level of pain, your medical history, any medications you are currently taking, and the type of anesthesia to be used.
Anxiety about pain itself is also an important factor to consider when planning pain management for cosmetic procedures.
If you have any concerns, please discuss them with us during your appointment.
Q. If I use Journalax, do I not need intravenous or local anesthesia?
A. No. Jarnavax is not a drug that universally replaces anesthesia.
During surgery, we administer the necessary anesthesia based on the procedure and combine it with Jarbax to manage pain.
Q. Can it be used for procedures other than liposuction and breast augmentation?
A. We also consider this option for procedures such as facelifts and rhinoplasty when relatively severe pain is expected after surgery.
It is also sometimes used in highly invasive cosmetic dermatology procedures.
If you would like to take oral pain relievers, including Jarnavax, please consult your doctor.
Q. When should I take Journalax?
A. For surgical procedures, take an initial dose of 100 mg on an empty stomach 2 to 3 hours before surgery, followed by 50 mg 12 hours later, and then 50 mg every 12 hours as needed.
Your doctor will explain the proper way to take this medication during your consultation or when prescribing it.
Q. Can I use this even if I'm taking medication or supplements?
A. Depending on the medications you are taking, they may interact with Jarnavax.
You should be especially careful with medications that affect CYP3A, and avoid foods and beverages containing grapefruit while taking them.
In addition, some hormonal contraceptives may affect the effectiveness of birth control. Please inform your doctor during your appointment about any prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, supplements, or contraceptives you are taking.
Considering Pain Management from Preoperative to Postoperative Care with Journalax
When it comes to cosmetic surgery, it’s important to prepare for pain not only during the procedure but also from before the surgery through to after you return home.
Jurnabax is one option for managing pain from preoperative through postoperative periods, used starting before surgery when relatively severe acute pain is anticipated and combined with anesthesia administered during surgery.
However, it is not a medication required for all patients or for every procedure.
At BIANCA CLINIC, we review the details of the surgery, the patient’s condition, and any medications they are taking to determine the appropriate anesthesia and pain management methods.
If you have concerns about post-surgery pain, please discuss them during your consultation.
[Medication to Be Used] JOURNAVX™ (oral)
[Cost] 9,900 yen per tablet
[Risks, Side Effects, etc.] Itchiness, muscle cramps, elevated CK (creatine kinase) levels, and rashes may occur. Additionally, there are interactions with certain medications, and concomitant use with potent CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated. While taking this medication, you must avoid foods and beverages containing grapefruit. Patients with severe liver dysfunction should avoid using this medication.
【Important Notes Regarding Unapproved Medicines】
・JOURNAVX™ (generic name: suzetrigine), which is used in this procedure, is an unapproved drug that has not received regulatory approval in Japan.
・In the United States, it received FDA approval in January 2025 as a non-opioid analgesic for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acute pain in adults.
・The pharmaceuticals used in this treatment are imported through the personal import process under a physician’s supervision. For details, please refer to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s “Information on Pharmaceuticals and Other Products Requiring Caution in Personal Imports.”
https://www.yakubutsu.mhlw.go.jp/individualimport/purchase/index.html
・There are no approved drugs in Japan with the same active ingredient and the same indication.
・Since this product has not been approved in Japan, its safety and efficacy may not have been sufficiently confirmed in Japan.
・In the unlikely event that serious side effects occur, you may not be eligible for the national relief program (the Pharmaceutical Side Effect Victim Relief Program).
