Your doctor (most likely a kidney specialist called a nephrologist) and other members of your healthcare team are there to help you manage chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP). Talking to them about your symptoms and how they affect you is the first step to helping you take control of your itch. Below are some tips to help you prepare for your next conversation with your healthcare team:
Write down your thoughts, questions, and symptoms. When life gets hectic, it’s easy to lose track of how you’re feeling day to day. Try keeping a daily or weekly log.
Know your symptoms. Doctors are learning about CKD-aP, too. Being able to tell them exactly what you’re feeling can impact your treatment.
Bring what you need. You might find it helpful to bring a list of medications you’re taking, a list of recent life changes, or even a friend or relative to help you remember what your doctor tells you.
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Whether you’re speaking to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team, you should feel confident asking questions and making sure you get all the info you need.
Keep learning about CKD-aP. Knowing the latest about your condition and treatments like KORSUVA can help you understand your condition and better manage it.
Don’t give up. Even if you’ve talked about your itch with your healthcare team before, keep talking about it! It will help them know how serious it is.
Wondering exactly what to ask your healthcare team?
Sign up to get more information about KORSUVA, including 3 questions to ask your healthcare team that could help get the conversation started.
WHAT IS KORSUVA?
KORSUVA is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate-to-severe pruritus (itching) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-aP) in adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
KORSUVA is not recommended in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (fluid taken from abdomen).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What are the possible side effects of KORSUVA?
KORSUVA may cause serious side effects, including:
- Dizziness, sleepiness, mental status changes (e.g., confusion), and trouble walking (which may lead to falls). Sleepiness is more likely to occur in patients who are 65 years or older. Taking KORSUVA with centrally acting depressant medications (including anti-depressants and medicines used for anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia), sedating antihistamines (allergy medicines that can cause drowsiness), and opioid analgesics (certain pain medications) may increase the likelihood of these side effects.
- Impairment of mental or physical abilities. You should not drive or operate dangerous machinery until the effect of KORSUVA on your ability to drive or operate machinery is known. The most common side effects of KORSUVA include: diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, trouble walking (including falls), high potassium, headache, sleepiness, and mental status changes (e.g., confusion).
What should I tell my doctor before taking KORSUVA?
Before you take KORSUVA, tell your doctor if you:
- are currently taking centrally acting depressant medications (including anti-depressants and medicines used for anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia), sedating antihistamines (allergy medicines that can cause drowsiness) or opioid analgesics (certain pain medications)
- regularly drive or operate dangerous machinery
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. In pre-clinical studies, KORSUVA was shown to be transferable into breastmilk.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of KORSUVA. You may report side effects to Vifor (International) Inc. at
1-844-835-8277 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
The risk information provided here is not comprehensive and does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. To learn more about KORSUVA, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
WHAT IS KORSUVA?
KORSUVA is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate-to-severe pruritus (itching) associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD-aP) in adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
KORSUVA is not recommended in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (fluid taken from abdomen).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What are the possible side effects of KORSUVA?
KORSUVA may cause serious side effects, including:
- Dizziness, sleepiness, mental status changes (e.g., confusion), and trouble walking (which may lead to falls). Sleepiness is more likely to occur in patients who are 65 years or older. Taking KORSUVA with centrally acting depressant medications (including anti-depressants and medicines used for anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia), sedating antihistamines (allergy medicines that can cause drowsiness), and opioid analgesics (certain pain medications) may increase the likelihood of these side effects.
- Impairment of mental or physical abilities. You should not drive or operate dangerous machinery until the effect of KORSUVA on your ability to drive or operate machinery is known. The most common side effects of KORSUVA include: diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, trouble walking (including falls), high potassium, headache, sleepiness, and mental status changes (e.g., confusion).
What should I tell my doctor before taking KORSUVA?
Before you take KORSUVA, tell your doctor if you:
- are currently taking centrally acting depressant medications (including anti-depressants and medicines used for anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia), sedating antihistamines (allergy medicines that can cause drowsiness) or opioid analgesics (certain pain medications)
- regularly drive or operate dangerous machinery
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. In pre-clinical studies, KORSUVA was shown to be transferable into breastmilk.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of KORSUVA. You may report side effects to Vifor (International) Inc. at 1-844-835-8277 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
The risk information provided here is not comprehensive and does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. To learn more about KORSUVA, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.