Ziconotide: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

The most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥ 25%) in clinical trials were dizziness, nausea, confusional state, nystagmus. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact TerSera Therapeutics at 1-844-344-4035 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates in clinical practice. A total of 1254 adult patients received PRIALT as a continuous infusion in acute and severe chronic pain trials with an exposure of 662 patient-years. The mean duration of treatment was 193 days with 173 patients (14%) treated for at least 1 year. The average final dose was 17.6 mcg/day (0.73 mcg/hr). The most frequently reported adverse reactions (≥ 25%) in clinical trials were dizziness, nausea, confusional state and nystagmus. Slower titration of PRIALT may result in fewer serious adverse reactions and discontinuation of PRIALT for adverse reactions [ see Clinical Studies ( 14 ) and Dosage and Administration ( 2 ) ]. Adverse reactions during the slow titration placebo-controlled trial that occurred in 5% or greater of patients and more commonly with PRIALT than with placebo are summarized in Table 1 . Table 1. Incidence…

PRIALT is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to ziconotide or any of its formulation components. PRIALT is contraindicated in patients with any other concomitant treatment or medical condition that would render intrathecal administration hazardous. Contraindications to the use of intrathecal analgesia include the presence of infection at the microinfusion injection site, uncontrolled bleeding diathesis, and spinal canal obstruction that impairs circulation of CSF. PRIALT is contraindicated in patients with a pre-existing history of psychosis. Patients with a known hypersensitivity to ziconotide or any of its formulation components and in patients with any other concomitant treatment or medical condition that would render intrathecal administration hazardous. ( 4 ) Patients with a pre-existing history of psychosis with ziconotide. ( 4 ) Contraindications to the use of intrathecal analgesia include conditions such as the presence of infection at the microinfusion injection site, uncontrolled bleeding diathesis, and spinal canal obstruction that impairs circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). ( 4 )

Formal PK drug-drug interaction studies have not been performed with PRIALT. As ziconotide is a peptide, it is expected to be completely degraded by endopeptidases and exopeptidases (Phase I hydrolytic enzymes) widely located throughout the body, and not by other Phase I biotransformation processes (including the cytochrome P450 system) or by Phase II conjugation reactions. Thus, intrathecal administration, low plasma ziconotide concentrations, and metabolism by ubiquitous peptidases make metabolic interactions of other drugs with ziconotide unlikely. Further, as ziconotide is not highly bound in plasma (approximately 50%) and has low plasma exposure following intrathecal administration, clinically relevant plasma protein displacement reactions involving ziconotide and co-administered medications are unlikely. Over 90% of patients treated with intrathecal PRIALT used systemic opiates and in the slow titration study, 98% of patients received opioids. The combination of PRIALT with intrathecal opiates has not been studied in placebo-controlled clinical trials and is not recommended. Combination of PRIALT with intrathecal opiates is not recommended. ( 7 ) Patients taking concomitant antiepileptics, neuroleptics, sedatives, or diuretics may be at higher risk of depressed levels of consciousness. ( 5.3 ) The use of PRIALT may be associated with an increased incidence of CNS adverse reactions such as dizziness and confusion. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Interaction with CNS Depressants Almost all patients in the PRIALT clinical trials received concomitant non-intrathecal medication. Most patients received several concomitant drugs, including antidepressants (66%), anxiolytics (52%), antiepileptics (47%), neuroleptics (46%), and sedatives (34%). The use of drugs with CNS-depressant activities may be associated with an increased incidence of CNS adverse reactions such as dizziness and confusion [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 ) ].