Formulary
Difelikefalin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Difelikefalin is a selective kappa opioid-receptor agonist with low CNS penetration.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Difelikefalin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Difelikefalin is a selective kappa opioid-receptor agonist with low CNS penetration.
Drug action
Difelikefalin is a selective kappa opioid-receptor agonist with low CNS penetration.
Indications and dose
**Pruritus (associated with chronic kidney disease in patients on haemodialysis) (under expert supervision)**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Injection): 0.5 microgram/kg 3-4 times a week (max. per dose 100 micrograms), to be administered via haemodialysis access after dialysis session, for haemodialysis treatments less than 1 hour, administration of difelikefalin should be withheld until the next haemodialysis session, dose to be calculated using dry body weight.
Cautions
Disruptions to the blood-brain barrier (e.g. advanced Alzheimer's disease, active multiple sclerosis, primary brain malignancies)
Side effects
Common or very common Drowsiness; oral disorders; sensation abnormal Uncommon Confusion; diarrhoea; dizziness; headache; nausea; psychiatric disorder; vomiting
Pregnancy
Avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk-no information available. M
Breast feeding
Avoid-present in milk in animal studies. M
Hepatic impairment
Avoid in severe impairment (no information available) M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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