Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Hydrocodone
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin and Hydrocodone: 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 peripherally restricted kappa agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness in some patients. Combined with opioids it may add to sedation, though its use is limited to dialysis patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin and Hydrocodone 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; Hydrocodone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects from kappa and mu opioid receptor activity.
What to do
Monitor for drowsiness, dizziness and respiratory depression, especially in patients with kidney failure. Use the lowest effective hydrocodone dose.
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 Hydrocodone
- Alvimopan + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydrocodone Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydrocodone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Hydrocodone 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 Hydrocodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin and Hydrocodone 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 peripherally restricted kappa agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness in some patients. Combined with opioids it may add to sedation, though its use is limited to dialysis patients.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin and Hydrocodone?
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 drowsiness, dizziness and respiratory depression, especially in patients with kidney failure. Use the lowest effective hydrocodone dose.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocodone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydrocodone page.
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