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StatPearls, LLC

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic
  • Postoperative Pain
  • Pruritus
  • Renal Dialysis

Difelikefalin

Difelikefalin is a medication used to treat and manage uremic pruritis and postoperative pain, affecting patients’ quality of life. Difelikefalin is in the opioid class of drugs and works as a selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist; alternative names for difelikefalin include 4-amino-1-(D-phenylalanyl-D-phenylalanyl-D-leucyl-D-lysyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid, CKD-943, MR13A9, FE202845, and CR 845. Since difelikefalin is peripherally selective, it is unlikely to cause lethal central nervous system adverse effects such as respiratory depression. IV dosing schedule after dialysis sessions enhances treatment logistics and patient outcomes. Moreover, difelikefalin presents as a safer alternative for managing postoperative pain amid the opioid crisis, offering decreased abuse potential and promising results in early trials. However, further research is needed to validate its efficacy and safety, especially in patients with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. This activity describes the mechanism of action, indications, administration, adverse effects, monitoring, and contraindications for difelikefalin therapy pertinent for interprofessional team members in treating patients with uremic pruritis or postoperative pain.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1 creditAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1 creditNursingUp to 1 creditPharmacyUp to 1 credit

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1 pointABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 1 pointABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1 pointABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1 pointABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1 pointABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1 pointABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1 pointABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1 point

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 6 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1 credit
  • MOC · Up to 1 point
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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