What is Prialt?

Ziconotide is contraindicated in patients with a preexisting history of psychosis. Severe psychiatric symptoms and neurological impairment may occur during treatment with ziconotide. Monitor all patients frequently for evidence of cognitive impairment, hallucinations, or changes in mood or consciousness. Discontinue ziconotide therapy in the event of serious neurological or psychiatric signs or symptoms .

Ziconotide injection is used to relieve severe chronic pain in patients who have already been treated with other medicines (e.g., morphine) and did not work well.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle or catheter into your back using a special infusion pump.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ziconotide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ziconotide injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have confusion and age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ziconotide injection.

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems, uncontrolled or
• Infection at the microinfusion injection site or
• Psychosis (mental illness), history of or
• Spinal canal blockage—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Depression or
• Mental illness—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these adverse effects, tell your doctor right away.

Serious infection or meningitis can occur if the catheter of this medicine becomes disconnected. It is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions about the care of the catheter and the use of the infusion pump.

If you or your caregiver notice any signs of meningitis such as confusion, drowsiness, fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, seizures, or stiff neck, call your doctor right away.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, confused, disoriented, clumsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; other prescription pain medicine or narcotics; medicine for seizures or barbiturates; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before you take any of the medicines listed above while you are using this medicine.

Tell your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain or weakness, loss of strength or energy, and with or without a darkened urine. Your doctor may need to reduce the dose of your medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.