Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Hydromorphone
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin and Hydromorphone: 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-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Together with hydromorphone, additive CNS depression and sedation may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin and Hydromorphone 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; Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects through opioid receptor activity.
What to do
Monitor for excessive drowsiness, dizziness and falls, especially in dialysis patients, and reduce the hydromorphone dose if sedation develops.
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 Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
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 Hydromorphone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin and Hydromorphone 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-opioid agonist that can cause somnolence and dizziness. Together with hydromorphone, additive CNS depression and sedation may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin and Hydromorphone?
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 excessive drowsiness, dizziness and falls, especially in dialysis patients, and reduce the hydromorphone dose if sedation develops.
What other medicines interact with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydromorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydromorphone page.
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