Korsuva

KORSUVA is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-aP) in adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

• Recommended dosage is 0.5 mcg/kg. (
  2.1 Dosage

  • The recommended dosage of KORSUVA is 0.5 mcg/kg administered by intravenous bolus injection into the venous line of the dialysis circuit at the end of each HD treatment
    [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]
    .
  • If a regularly scheduled HD treatment is missed, resume KORSUVA at the end of the next HD treatment.
  )
• Administer by intravenous bolus injection into the venous line of the dialysis circuit at the end of each HD treatment. (
  2.1 Dosage

  • The recommended dosage of KORSUVA is 0.5 mcg/kg administered by intravenous bolus injection into the venous line of the dialysis circuit at the end of each HD treatment
    [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]
    .
  • If a regularly scheduled HD treatment is missed, resume KORSUVA at the end of the next HD treatment.
  )
• Do not mix or dilute KORSUVA prior to administration. (
  2.2 Preparation Instructions

  • Do not mix or dilute KORSUVA prior to administration.
  • Inspect KORSUVA for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution should be clear and colorless. Do not use KORSUVA vials if particulate matter or discoloration is observed.
  • KORSUVA is supplied in a single-dose vial. Discard any unused product.
  • Injection volume to be administered is determined by patient's target dry body weight in kilograms (one patient may use less than the full contents of the vial or use more than one vial). See Table 1.

  Table 1. KORSUVA Injection Volumes Based on Target Dry Body Weight

  Target Dry Body Weight Range (kg)	Injection Volume (mL)Total Injection Volume (mL) = Patient Target Dry Body Weight (kg) x 0.01, rounded to the nearest tenth (0.1 mL). For patient target dry body weight outside of the ranges in Table 1, use this formula.
  36 – 44	0.4
  45 – 54	0.5
  55 – 64	0.6
  65 – 74	0.7
  75 – 84	0.8
  85 – 94	0.9
  95 – 104	1
  105 – 114	1.1
  115 – 124	1.2
  125 – 134	1.3
  135 – 144	1.4
  145 – 154	1.5
  155 – 164	1.6
  165 – 174	1.7
  175 – 184	1.8
  185 – 194	1.9
  195 – 204	2
  )
• Administer within 4 hours of syringe preparation. (
  2.3 Administration Instructions

  • KORSUVA is removed by the dialyzer membrane and must be administered after blood is no longer circulating through the dialyzer.
  • Administer KORSUVA by intravenous bolus injection into the venous line of the dialysis circuit at the end of each HD session.
    • The dose may be given either during or after rinse back of the dialysis circuit.
    • If the dose is given after rinse back, administer KORSUVA into the venous line followed by at least 10 mL of normal saline flush.
    • If the dose is given during rinse back, no additional normal saline is needed to flush the line.
  • The dose must be administered within 4 hours of the syringe preparation. Discard any unused product.
  )
• See full prescribing information for additional recommendations on preparation and administration of KORSUVA. (
  2.2 Preparation Instructions

  • Do not mix or dilute KORSUVA prior to administration.
  • Inspect KORSUVA for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution should be clear and colorless. Do not use KORSUVA vials if particulate matter or discoloration is observed.
  • KORSUVA is supplied in a single-dose vial. Discard any unused product.
  • Injection volume to be administered is determined by patient's target dry body weight in kilograms (one patient may use less than the full contents of the vial or use more than one vial). See Table 1.

  Table 1. KORSUVA Injection Volumes Based on Target Dry Body Weight

  Target Dry Body Weight Range (kg)	Injection Volume (mL)Total Injection Volume (mL) = Patient Target Dry Body Weight (kg) x 0.01, rounded to the nearest tenth (0.1 mL). For patient target dry body weight outside of the ranges in Table 1, use this formula.
  36 – 44	0.4
  45 – 54	0.5
  55 – 64	0.6
  65 – 74	0.7
  75 – 84	0.8
  85 – 94	0.9
  95 – 104	1
  105 – 114	1.1
  115 – 124	1.2
  125 – 134	1.3
  135 – 144	1.4
  145 – 154	1.5
  155 – 164	1.6
  165 – 174	1.7
  175 – 184	1.8
  185 – 194	1.9
  195 – 204	2
  ,
  2.3 Administration Instructions

  • KORSUVA is removed by the dialyzer membrane and must be administered after blood is no longer circulating through the dialyzer.
  • Administer KORSUVA by intravenous bolus injection into the venous line of the dialysis circuit at the end of each HD session.
    • The dose may be given either during or after rinse back of the dialysis circuit.
    • If the dose is given after rinse back, administer KORSUVA into the venous line followed by at least 10 mL of normal saline flush.
    • If the dose is given during rinse back, no additional normal saline is needed to flush the line.
  • The dose must be administered within 4 hours of the syringe preparation. Discard any unused product.
  )

Injection: 65 mcg/1.3 mL (50 mcg/mL) of difelikefalin as a clear, colorless solution in a single-dose glass vial.

• Dizziness, Somnolence, Mental Status Changes, and Gait Disturbances:
  Dizziness, somnolence, mental status changes, and gait disturbances, including falls, have occurred. Centrally-acting depressant medications, sedating antihistamines, and opioid analgesics should be used with caution during treatment with KORSUVA. (
  5.1 Dizziness, Somnolence, Mental Status Changes, and Gait Disturbances

  Dizziness, somnolence, mental status changes, and gait disturbances, including falls, have occurred in patients taking KORSUVA and may subside over time with continued treatment

  [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]

  . In Trial 1 and Trial 2, 17.0% of patients randomized to receive KORSUVA reported at least one of these adverse reactions, compared to 12.0% of patients who received placebo. The incidence of somnolence was higher in KORSUVA-treated subjects 65 years of age and older (7.0%) than in KORSUVA-treated subjects less than 65 years of age (2.8%). Concomitant use of centrally-acting depressant medications, sedating antihistamines and opioid analgesics may increase the likelihood of these adverse reactions and should be used with caution during treatment with KORSUVA.
  )
• Risk of Driving and Operating Machinery:
  May impair mental or physical abilities. Advise patients not to drive or operate dangerous machinery until the effect of KORSUVA on a patient's ability to drive or operate machinery is known. (
  5.2 Risk of Driving and Operating Machinery

  Dizziness, somnolence, and mental status changes have occurred in patients taking KORSUVA. KORSUVA may impair the mental or physical abilities needed to perform potentially hazardous activities such as driving a car and operating machinery. Advise patients not to drive or operate dangerous machinery until the effect of KORSUVA on a patient's ability to drive or operate machinery is known

  .
  )