It's a device, the size of a hockey puck, that's surgically placed under the skin. It holds medicine and a computer chip. It's set to regulate the dose and flow of medication directly to the spine. Buffington explains many people now use morphine in their pumps. They expect ziconotide will prove to be a better alternative.
More precision also means fewer side-effects associated with other pain drugs.
With morphine and other traditional narcotics ,the long term side-effects may include liver, lung and digestive problems. Mental confusion affects the patient's ability to work and function. More and more is needed, and in many cases patients must be switched to different treatments. Nothing seems to work safely for long term problems. The most common side-effects are lowering of blood pressure, and some mental fogginess although far less than with conventional drugs.