Difelikefalin (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 8, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Korsuva

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antipruritic

Chemical Class: Opioid

Uses for difelikefalin

Difelikefalin injection is used to treat moderate to severe pruritus (skin itching) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-aP) in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Difelikefalin is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

Before using difelikefalin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For difelikefalin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to difelikefalin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of difelikefalin injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of difelikefalin injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of difelikefalin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Liver disease, mild to moderate—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

• Liver disease, severe or
• Patients on peritoneal dialysis—Use is not recommended in patients with these conditions.

Proper use of difelikefalin

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you difelikefalin in a medical facility. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. It is usually given at the end of each dialysis treatment.

Missed dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.