Ziconotide injection

What is ziconotide injection?

ZICONOTIDE (Prialt®) may help relieve chronic, severe pain. Ziconotide may be used to treat pain associated with cancer or AIDS. Ziconotide may also be used to help treat spasticity related to spinal cord injury. Generic ziconotide intrathecal injection is not available.

What should my health care professional know before I take ziconotide?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• any chronic health condition

• blood disease, bleeding disorders or problems, hemophilia or aneurysm

• current or recent infection

• depression, psychosis, thoughts of suicide or past suicide attempts, or other mental health problems

• seizures

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ziconotide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Ziconotide is only for injection into the space around the spinal cord. It can be given by a health care professional in a clinic or hospital setting. Patients usually have a special pump implanted into their back to maintain a continuous infusion into the spinal cord space. Make sure to contact your prescriber or health care professional immediately if you are having problems with your infusion pump. You will be given instructions for the pump by your prescriber or health care professional. Do not stop taking your medicine suddenly.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. Your healthcare professional will schedule refills of your medication pump as needed. Try not to miss any appointments. It is important that the pump does not run dry. The drug solution must be exchanged on a regular basis.

What drug(s) may interact with ziconotide?

• alcohol

• diuretics (water pills)

• other medicines that cause drowsiness (examples: antihistamines, entacapone, tolcapone, tramadol, opiates or other prescription pain medications, muscle relaxers, benzodiazepines)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking ziconotide?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or different type of pain.

Your health care professional will need to check your blood on a regular basis to determine the amount of creatine kinase (an enzyme). If you develop muscle pain, weakness, or a decrease in the amount of urine you produce, immediately call your prescriber or health care professional.

You may get drowsy or dizzy or notice some clumsiness or unsteadiness when you first start taking ziconotide or change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything potentially dangerous that requires complete mental alertness. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. If you have not slept because of your pain, you may sleep more the first few days your pain is controlled to catch-up on missed sleep.

Be careful taking other medicines which may also make you tired. This effect may be worse when taking these medicines with ziconotide. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. Avoid alcohol while taking ziconotide.

You and your caregiver need to know how to handle your external microinfusion device (if you have one) and the catheter skin exit site. If you develop warmth, redness, itching, or pus around the site, immediately call your health care professional.

Ziconotide may cause you to have hallucinations (to see things that are not really there) or cause your legs or arms to 'jerk' or have spasms. If you experience these effects or have signs and symptoms of meningitis such as nausea, fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, or vomiting, immediately call your prescriber or health care professional.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking ziconotide.

What side effects may I notice from taking ziconotide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blurred vision

• chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or sweating

• confusion, agitation, changes in mental ability

• decreased urine output, brown urine, or back pain

• depressed mood, sadness, tearfulness, or thoughts of suicide

• hallucinations

• lightheadedness or fainting/falling spells

• muscle pain, cramps, or weakness

• problems talking or finding words

• unusual tiredness or weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• clumsiness, unsteadiness

• dizziness, drowsiness

• headache

• nausea

• nervousness or restlessness

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. Ziconotide is only administered in a hospital or clinic setting.