Nalfurafine
Encyclopedia
Nalfurafine is a κ-opioid receptor
agonist
marketed as a treatment for uremic
pruritus in people undergoing hemodialysis
.
, it is also being investigated for the treatment of pruritus in patients with chronic liver disease
.
Kappa Opioid receptor
The κ-opioid receptor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OPRK1 gene. The κ-opioid receptor is one of five related receptors that bind opium-like compounds in the brain and are responsible for mediating the effects of these compounds...
agonist
Agonist
An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance...
marketed as a treatment for uremic
Uremia
Uremia or uraemia is a term used to loosely describe the illness accompanying kidney failure , in particular the nitrogenous waste products associated with the failure of this organ....
pruritus in people undergoing hemodialysis
Hemodialysis
In medicine, hemodialysis is a method for removing waste products such as creatinine and urea, as well as free water from the blood when the kidneys are in renal failure. Hemodialysis is one of three renal replacement therapies .Hemodialysis can be an outpatient or inpatient therapy...
.
, it is also being investigated for the treatment of pruritus in patients with chronic liver disease
Chronic liver disease
Chronic liver disease in the clinical context is a disease process of the liver that involves a process of progressive destruction and regeneration of the liver parenchyma leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis.- Causes :...
.