What does Ziconotide do?

Ziconotide is described as an FDA-approved, non-opioid peptide analgesic for severe chronic pain. The source emphasizes that it is administered into cerebrospinal fluid through an intrathecal pump and is associated with a black box warning for severe psychiatric symptoms.

How does Ziconotide work?

The source describes ziconotide as a synthetic version of omega-conotoxin MVIIA, also called SNX-111. It blocks N-type voltage-gated calcium channels in the spinal dorsal horn, reducing release of neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling. Because it has limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, the reported route is intrathecal infusion.

Is Ziconotide FDA approved?

Yes. The source lists ziconotide as FDA approved and identifies the approved severe chronic pain context.

What are the side effects of Ziconotide?

Reported adverse effects include dizziness, nausea, confusion, hallucinations, depression, suicidal ideation, memory impairment, and severe psychiatric symptoms noted as a black box warning in the source.

What is the typical dose of Ziconotide?

The source reports limited community dosing data. Its research row lists 0.1-19.2 mcg/day by intrathecal infusion and chronic use via an intrathecal pump, based on FDA-approved labeling.

Healing FDA Approved - approved for specific uses

Ziconotide

Also known as: Prialt, SNX-111

At a glance

PeptiGuide dataset · reviewed Aug 2026

What it is

FDA-approved intrathecal non-opioid peptide analgesic derived from omega-conotoxin biology.

Status

FDA Approved

Evidence level: human clinical evidence

Typical dose

Limited community data available

Intrathecal infusion only

Researched for

Chronic pain management, neuropathic pain

Trial progress

PrePreclinical
IPhase I
IIPhase II
IIIPhase III
IVPhase IV
FDAFDA approved

FDA approved - FDA-approved for specific uses with established human evidence

Use the tools

In plain language

FDA-approved analgesic marketed as Prialt, with the alias SNX-111.
Described as a non-opioid compound derived from omega-conotoxin MVIIA biology.
Source evidence centers on severe chronic pain and neuropathic pain research context.
Administration is reported as intrathecal infusion only, typically via pump-based delivery.
Safety notes include dizziness, confusion, memory issues, hallucinations, suicidal ideation, and a black box warning for severe psychiatric symptoms.

How it's thought to work

Ziconotide is described as a synthetic form of omega-conotoxin MVIIA, a 25-amino-acid originally associated with Conus magus venom. The source states that it inhibits N-type voltage-gated calcium channels in the spinal dorsal horn, which can reduce release of pain-related neurotransmitters. Limited blood-brain barrier penetration is given as the reason the evidence describes intrathecal rather than systemic administration.

What the research shows

Where the research stands

The source characterizes ziconotide as an established drug rather than an early-stage research , reporting FDA approval as Prialt in 2004 and European Commission approval in 2005. It describes use in severe chronic pain when intrathecal therapy is needed and other options are not tolerated or are inadequate. The source also notes a non-opioid profile with no reported tolerance or physical dependence signal in that summary, while emphasizing a narrow therapeutic window and important neuropsychiatric risks. Listed concerns include dizziness, confusion, memory impairment, gait instability, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and contraindication in people with a history of psychosis.

What it shows

✓ Human clinical evidence

FDA-approved for specific uses with established human evidence

△ Limitations

Use only according to approved labeling and qualified medical guidance.

Bottom line: FDA Approved - Severe chronic pain FDA Approved

Typical dosing

CommunityCommunity dataset

Limited community data available

See research protocols

Range: See research dosing

Community-reported dosing information in the source is limited and points back to research dosing rather than a standalone community protocol.

Research dosing

Indication-specificApproved for specific uses - study doses are indication-specific

Doses observed in studies

0.1-19.2 mcg/day intrathecal

FDA Approved Labeling - Prescribed dose

Use only according to approved labeling and qualified medical guidance.

Duration: Chronic use via intrathecal pump
Administration: Intrathecal infusion only

Timing & administration

Best time to take

Morning or as directed

Follow recommended protocol

Food recommendation

With or without food

Why this timing?

The source does not establish a specific time-of-day requirement. It frames timing as protocol-dependent and notes that consistent administration is more relevant than a particular clock time.

Possible side effects

Not everyone experiences these. Individual responses vary with dose, duration, and personal factors.

Dizziness
Nausea
Confusion
Hallucinations
Depression
Suicidal ideation
Memory impairment
Severe psychiatric symptoms
Intrathecal-only administration risk context

Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity can vary by context, purity, route, and individual health factors.

Sources

PubMed ClinicalTrials.gov FDA.gov

Frequently asked questions

Sequence

C(1)KGKGAKC(2)SRLMYDC(3)C(1)TGSC(2)RSGKC(3)-NH2; disulfides 1-16, 8-20, 15-25

One open dataset

Every fact on this page - doses, side effects, references - comes from the same PeptiGuide dataset that powers the Tracker, Compare, and the Lab.

Browse the dataset

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Educational resource, not medical advice. Talk to your clinician before acting on anything here.

Community discussion

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Ziconotide

In plain languageIn plain language

How it's thought to workHow it's thought to work

What the research showsWhat the research shows

Typical dosing

Research dosing

Timing & administrationTiming & administration

Possible side effectsPossible side effects

SourcesSources

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions