Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Fentanyl
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin and Fentanyl: 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 is a kappa opioid receptor agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Together with fentanyl, it may add to sedation and CNS depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin and Fentanyl 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; Fentanyl belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from kappa and mu opioid receptor agonism.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and dizziness, particularly in patients with renal impairment, and lower doses of either drug if excessive drowsiness occurs.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Difelikefalin and Fentanyl, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Fentanyl
- Alvimopan + Fentanyl Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fentanyl + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Fentanyl Major
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 Fentanyl?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin and Fentanyl 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 is a kappa opioid receptor agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Together with fentanyl, it may add to sedation and CNS depression.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin and Fentanyl?
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, particularly in patients with renal impairment, and lower doses of either drug if excessive drowsiness occurs.
What other medicines interact with Fentanyl?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fentanyl with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Fentanyl page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
