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August 23, 2021 – KorsuvaTM (difelikefalin) has been FDA approved to treat moderate-to-severe pruritus (itching) associated with chronic kidney disease in adults who are undergoing hemodialysis. It is the first drug to receive the FDA's approval for this indication.

  • Korsuva is also the first in a new class of drugs called kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists. It works to relieve symptoms by targeting the body's peripheral nervous system.
  • Recommended dosing is 0.5mcg/kg of the patient's body weight, administered by intravenous bolus at the end of each hemodialysis treatment.
  • The drug's manufacturers, Cara Therapeutics and Vifor Pharma, plan to launch the product in the first quarter of 2022.