Difelikefalin injection is used to alleviate itching in hemodialysis patients with chronic renal disease (medical treatment to remove waste from the blood when the kidneys are not working properly). Difelikefalin belongs to the group of drugs known as kappa opioid receptor agonists. It functions by altering how your nerves react when you itch.

Difelikefalin is available as a liquid solution for intravenous injection (into a vein). It is typically administered by a healthcare professional at the conclusion of each dialysis session.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your chemist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before you receive difelikefalin injection,

• If you have an allergy to difelikefalin, any other medications, or any of the chemicals in difelikefalin injection, let your doctor and chemist know right away. Get a list of the ingredients from your chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you currently have or ever had liver issues, let your doctor know.
• If you are expecting a child, intend to get pregnant, or are a nursing mother, let your doctor know. Call your physician if you conceive while receiving a difelikefalin injection.
• Inform the surgeon or dentist if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery, that you are receiving a difelikefalin injection.
• Difelikefalin injection may cause you to feel lightheaded or sleepy. Until you understand how this drug affects you, refrain from operating machinery, operating a vehicle, or engaging in any other potentially risky activity.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Difelikefalin injectable adverse effects could occur. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Difficulties walking
• Falling
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Abrupt alterations in mental state
• Confusion

Further negative effects from diffelikefalin injection are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Extreme fatigue
• Abrupt alterations in mental state
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Hands or foot pain, burning, numbness, or tingling

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.