Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Esketamine
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin and Esketamine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Difelikefalin can cause dizziness and somnolence, which may add to esketamine's sedative and dissociative effects. Fall risk and impaired alertness may increase, especially in dialysis patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin and Esketamine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Difelikefalin belongs to Dermatology; Esketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and dizziness after esketamine administration and ensure supervision until recovery. Advise against driving that day.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Esketamine
Other interactions of Difelikefalin
- Acetazolamide + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Alprazolam + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amantadine + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amobarbital + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Asenapine + Difelikefalin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Difelikefalin with Esketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin and Esketamine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Difelikefalin can cause dizziness and somnolence, which may add to esketamine's sedative and dissociative effects. Fall risk and impaired alertness may increase, especially in dialysis patients.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin and Esketamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for sedation and dizziness after esketamine administration and ensure supervision until recovery. Advise against driving that day.
What other medicines interact with Esketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Esketamine with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Esketamine page.
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