ziconotide

Generic Name: ziconotide
Other Brand Names: Prialt
Overview Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose

What is ziconotide?

Ziconotide is in a class of drugs called analgesics. It relieves pain.

Ziconotide is used to treat severe chronic pain.

Ziconotide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ziconotide?

Severe psychiatric symptoms and neurological impairment may occur during treatment with ziconotide. Talk to your doctor before receiving ziconotide if you have a history of psychosis or mental illness.

Tell your doctor about all prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products that your are taking.

Ziconotide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether ziconotide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether ziconotide will harm a nursing infant. Talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take ziconotide?

Ziconotide should be administered as an injection by a healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider will store ziconotide as directed by the manufacturer.

What happens if I miss a dose of ziconotide?

Since the medication will be administered by a healthcare provider, missing a dose should not occur.

Where can I get more information about ziconotide?
Your pharmacist has information about ziconotide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ziconotide?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ziconotide and seek emergency medical attention:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, or hives);

  • nausea, vomiting, seizures, fever, headache, and/or stiff neck, as these may be symptoms of developing meningitis;

  • a change in mental status (extreme tiredness, confusion, disorientation or decreased alertness);

  • a change in mood or perception, (hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), unusual feelings in the mouth); or

  • depression or suicidal thoughts.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

  • drowsiness;

  • dizziness or lightheadedness;

  • weakness;

  • double vision or other vision problems;

  • pain; or

  • confusion.

What is the most important information I should know about ziconotide?

Severe psychiatric symptoms and neurological impairment may occur during treatment with ziconotide. Talk to your doctor before receiving ziconotide if you have a history of psychosis or mental illness.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ziconotide and seek emergency medical attention:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, or hives);

  • nausea, vomiting, seizures, fever, headache, and/or stiff neck, as these may be symptoms of developing meningitis;

  • a change in mental status (extreme tiredness, confusion, disorientation or decreased alertness);

  • a change in mood or perception, (hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), unusual feelings in the mouth); or

  • depression or suicidal thoughts.

What should I avoid while taking ziconotide?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ziconotide will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

Ziconotide may increase the effects of drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sleep aids, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

What other drugs will affect ziconotide?

Ziconotide may increase the effects of drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sleep aids, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Other drugs can interact with ziconotide resulting in dangerous side effects and/or decreased effectiveness. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor during treatment with ziconotide.

What happens if I have an overdose of ziconotide?

If an overdose of ziconotide is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008