Ziconotide: a new nonopioid intrathecal analgesic for the treatment of chronic pain.

Ziconotide is a new nonopioid intrathecal agent recently approved for the treatment of chronic pain. Ziconotide is indicated for the management of severe chronic pain in patients for whom intrathecal therapy is warranted and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment, such as systemic analgesics, adjunctive therapies or intrathecal morphine. Ziconotide blocks the N-type calcium channels located in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord, resulting in potent analgesia. The efficacy of ziconotide has been demonstrated in three randomized, placebo-controlled trials in over 500 patients. In addition, its safety has been demonstrated in over 1200 subjects. Ziconotide is a potent analgesic with a narrow therapeutic window. The drug requires a slow titration in order to achieve analgesia while avoiding dose-limiting side effects. This review examines the currently available information on this new analgesic.