Ziconotide Acetate

Ziconotide acetate is a synthetic cyclic peptide composed of 25 amino acids. It is typically available as an injectable solution, with common concentrations such as 100 μg/mL. It is used to treat severe chronic pain, particularly in patients who do not respond well to or cannot tolerate traditional pain management methods, such as opioids. It can be administered intrathecally (into the spinal canal) and is often used to manage conditions like cancer pain and chronic lower back pain.

Ziconotide acetate specifically targets N-type voltage-gated calcium channels on nerve cells. By blocking these channels, it inhibits the influx of calcium ions, thereby reducing the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate and substance P. This mechanism provides potent analgesic effects and plays a crucial role in modulating and interrupting pain signal transmission.