New drug may scratch the itch for dialysis patients

NCT ID NCT05885737

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested a drug called difelikefalin to see if it can reduce moderate-to-severe itching in Chinese adults on hemodialysis. 260 participants received either the drug or a placebo three times a week for 12 weeks. The main goal was to measure changes in itching intensity using a daily rating scale.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Difelikefalin injection

What this could lead to

If it works, this could provide a new treatment to ease severe itching in people on dialysis, improving their quality of life.

What could go wrong

This is a completed phase 3 trial, but results are not yet published. The drug may not work better than placebo, and side effects are possible.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Investigator Site 01

    Beijing, China

  • Investigator Site 02

    Lanzhou, China

  • Investigator Site 03

    Nanjing, China

  • Investigator Site 04

    Ürümqi, China

  • Investigator Site 06

    Guangzhou, China

  • Investigator Site 07

    Beijing, China

  • Investigator Site 08

    Shihezi, China

  • Investigator Site 10

    Nanjing, China

  • Investigator Site 11

    Yangzhou, China

  • Investigator Site 12

    Jiaxing, China

  • Investigator Site 13

    Xiamen, China

  • Investigator Site 15

    Xianyang, China

  • Investigator Site 16

    Shenzhen, China

  • Investigator Site 17

    Wuhan, China

  • Investigator Site 18

    Shenyang, China

  • Investigator Site 19

    Nanjing, China

  • Investigator Site 20

    Taiyuan, China

  • Investigator Site 21

    Shenyang, China

  • Investigator Site 22

    Xining, China

  • Investigator Site 23

    Zhengzhou, China

  • Investigator Site 24

    Taiyuan, China

  • Investigator Site 25

    Baotou, China

  • Investigator Site 26

    Changsha, China

  • Investigator Site 29

    Yinchuan, China

  • Investigator Site 30

    Yibin, China

  • Investigator Site 31

    Zhenjiang, China

  • Investigator Site 32

    Shijiazhuang, China

  • Investigator Site 33

    Wuxi, China

  • Investigator Site 34

    Mianyang, China

  • Investigator Site 35

    Zhuzhou, China

  • Investigator Site 36

    Nantong, China

  • Investigator Site 38

    Xinxiang, China

  • Investigator Site 39

    Tianjin, China

  • Investigator Site 40

    Shanghai, China

  • Investigator Site 41

    Shijiazhuang, China