How is ziconotide made?

Ziconotide is an analog of the ω conopeptide, obtained from the venom of a giant marine snail called Conus magus. This snail captures its prey by shooting out an appendix that secretes venom to paralyze its victim, which is then swallowed. This conopeptide blocks N-type calcium channels, preventing nerve transmission.

What is ziconotide used for?

Ziconotide is a newer, intrathecal analgesic medication used for the treatment of chronic pain. Its FDA indication is for treating chronic severe pain in patients intolerant or refractory to systemic analgesics or intrathecal morphine.

Is ziconotide the same as Prialt?

under the name Prialt. To date, ziconotide is the only calcium channel blocking peptide approved for use by the FDA.

How many amino acids are in ziconotide?

Ziconotide (also known as SNX-111) is a neurotoxic peptide derived from the cone snail Conus magus comprising 25 amino acids with three disulphide bonds.

Who discovered ziconotide?

Ziconotide was discovered in the early 1980s by Michael McIntosh, at the time barely out of high school and working with Baldomero Olivera. It was developed into an artificially manufactured drug by Elan Corporation.

What kind of drug is ziconotide?

Ziconotide, which is also known as SNX-111, is a novel non-opioid analgesic drug. It is a synthetic version of ω-conotoxin MVIIA (ω-MVIIA), which is a peptide that is found in the venom of the fish-eating marine snail, Conus magus.

Is ziconotide an opioid?

Prialt (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) is a non‐opioid N‐type calcium channel blocker analgesic. It is a synthetic conopeptide derived from the venom of the piscivorous marine snail, Conus magus.

Is ziconotide natural?

Ziconotide (1) is the first marine derived natural product to be approved by FDA in 2005 (Prialt®) for its use as a nonopioid analgesic for neuropathic pain.

What is the mechanism of action of gabapentin?

Gabapentin was designed to mimic the neurotransmitter GABA. It does not, however, bind to GABA receptors. Its mechanism of action as an antiepileptic agent likely involves its inhibition of the alpha 2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels [111,112].

Is ziconotide a Nsaid?

Briefly, intrathecal ziconotide is a powerful antinociceptive drug in several animal models of chronic pain and it appears to have a completely novel mechanism of action that involves potent and selective block of pre-synaptic neuronal N-type calcium channels in the spinal cord.