Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Zolpidem
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin and Zolpidem: 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 somnolence, dizziness and mental status changes, and zolpidem may add to these effects. Patients with kidney failure on dialysis are already prone to accumulation of sedatives.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin and Zolpidem 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; Zolpidem belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression; kappa-opioid agonism combined with GABA-A potentiation.
What to do
Use the lowest zolpidem dose and monitor for sedation, dizziness and falls, particularly in dialysis patients.
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 Zolpidem
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 Zolpidem?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin and Zolpidem 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 somnolence, dizziness and mental status changes, and zolpidem may add to these effects. Patients with kidney failure on dialysis are already prone to accumulation of sedatives.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin and Zolpidem?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest zolpidem dose and monitor for sedation, dizziness and falls, particularly in dialysis patients.
What other medicines interact with Zolpidem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zolpidem with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Zolpidem page.
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