There’s a promising new pharmaceutical named Journavx that treats pain without opiates. And while the drug itself is getting positive reviews, the name certainly leaves something to be desired. Apparently the intended pronunciation is either:

jor-na-vix and jor-na-vex 

Nether of those is how I pronounced it, though. I saw “VX” and because it’s a medicine, I assumed “vax” and Jor-na-vax. 

“Vax”is a common and familiar shorthand for “vaccine.” But this new drug isn’t a vaccine. I’m a bit surprised this didn’t get flagged by the drug naming panels. 

Even if people pronounce it “vex” that’s not great either. To vex someone is to make them annoyed or frustrated. And Vix is a vapor rub for when your nose is stuffy.

Time will tell if this creates any confusion. Regardless, when coining new names, I don’t recommend stuffing two consonants together, especially when they create an open-ended pronunciation that’s oddly similar to an existing word in your industry.

Even if people pronounce it “vex” that’s not great either. To vex someone is to make them annoyed or frustrated. And Vix is a vapor rub for when your nose is stuffy.

Time will tell if this creates any confusion. Regardless, when coining new names, I don’t recommend stuffing two consonants together, especially when they create an open-ended pronunciation that’s oddly similar to an existing word in your industry.