Ziconotide (Prialt) (CPB 0712, reviewed 2026-10-14)
Aetna considers intrathecal ziconotide (Prialt) medically necessary for members with severe chronic pain that is intolerant of or refractory to other treatments, such as systemic analgesics, adjunctive therapies, or intrathecal morphine. Aetna considers it not medically necessary for members with a pre-existing history of psychosis, an infection at the micro-infusion injection site, uncontrolled bleeding diathesis, or spinal canal obstruction. Aetna considers intrathecal ziconotide experimental, investigational, or unproven for autism, epilepsy, Irukandji syndrome, migraines, primary lateral sclerosis, stroke and other indications, and considers the intrathecal combination of ziconotide, morphine and levobupivacaine experimental for cancer-related refractory pain.