Peptide Comparison
Ziconotide (Prialt)vsTB-500
FDA-approved intrathecal analgesic derived from cone snail venom for severe chronic pain
A powerful fragment of thymosin beta-4 that acts like your body's repair signal—speeding up healing of muscles, tendons, and tissues by promoting cell migration and new blood vessel growth right where you need it most.
At a Glance
Quick
comparison
Dose Range
Ziconotide (Prialt)
2.4 mcg/day–19.2 mcg/day mcg
TB-500
2–5 mg
Frequency
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Once daily
TB-500
Twice weekly
Administration
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Intrathecal infusion
TB-500
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Ongoing/indefinite
TB-500
4-6 weeks
Onset Speed
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
TB-500
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence Level
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
TB-500
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Efficacy
Benefit
ratings
Pain Relief
Opioid Alternative
Neuropathic Pain
Healing Speed
Tissue Repair
Anti-Scarring
Technical Data
Compound
specifications
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Molecular Formula
C102H172N36O32S7
Molecular Weight
2639.2 Da
Half-Life
CSF: 4.6 hours; Plasma: 1.3 hours
Bioavailability
100% intrathecal; does not cross blood-brain barrier systemically
CAS Number
107452-89-1
TB-500
Molecular Formula
C38H68N10O14
Molecular Weight
889.01 g/mol
Half-Life
2-3 days (systemic)
Bioavailability
High via subcutaneous injection (~100%)
CAS Number
885340-08-9
Protocols
Dosing
tiers
Ziconotide (Prialt)
TB-500
Applications
Best
suited for
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Severe chronic pain management
Ziconotide (Prialt) is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on severe chronic pain management. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Opioid-refractory neuropathic pain
Ziconotide (Prialt) is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on opioid-refractory neuropathic pain. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Cancer-related intractable pain
Ziconotide (Prialt) is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on cancer-related intractable pain. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Reducing systemic opioid dependence
Ziconotide (Prialt) is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on reducing systemic opioid dependence. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
TB-500
Athletes Recovering from Muscle Injuries
If you've pulled a hamstring, strained your back, or torn a muscle, TB-500 helps accelerate the healing process by promoting cell migration to the injury site and supporting new blood vessel growth. It's especially useful for injuries that just won't seem to fully heal.
Tendon and Ligament Problems
Tendons and ligaments are notoriously slow healers because they have poor blood supply. TB-500 promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and helps repair these stubborn connective tissue injuries—think Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, or rotator cuff issues.
Post-Surgical Recovery
After surgery, your body needs to repair a lot of tissue quickly. TB-500 supports wound healing, reduces inflammation, and may help minimize scar tissue formation. Some protocols use it alongside traditional recovery to potentially speed up the healing timeline.
Chronic Inflammation and Slow Healers
Some people just heal slowly—whether due to age, diabetes, or other factors. TB-500 helps regulate the inflammatory response and promotes the cellular processes needed for tissue repair. It essentially tells your body to focus healing resources where they're needed most.
Safety Profile
Side
effects
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Common
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Uncommon
- Confusion and Memory Impairment
- Ataxia and Nystagmus
Serious
- Psychiatric Symptoms
- Elevated Creatine Kinase and Rhabdomyolysis
- Psychiatric Symptoms
- Rhabdomyolysis with Acute Renal Failure
TB-500
Common
- Injection site redness
- Mild fatigue or lethargy
- Mild headache
- Slight flushing
Uncommon
- Head rush or lightheadedness
- Temporary nausea
Serious
- Allergic reaction
Research Status
Safety
& evidence
Ziconotide (Prialt)
Evidence Level
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
FDA Status
FDA approved for this use
Safety Overview
Ziconotide (Prialt, FDA-approved since 2004) demonstrates favorable safety in intrathecal delivery with dose-dependent adverse effects primarily cognitive/psychiatric: dizziness, confusion, memory impairment, and mood changes in 20-50% of patients depending on infusion rate. Serious risks include meningitis-like aseptic meningitis (rare but documented), cognitive decline requiring dose reduction in ~25% of treated patients, and infection at intrathecal catheter insertion site. Hemodynamic effects (hypotension, dizziness) occur in dose-dependent fashion, necessitating slow titration (starting at 2.4 mcg/day, increasing weekly).
Contraindications
- xPre-existing history of psychosis
- xInfection at the microinfusion injection site
- xUncontrolled bleeding diathesis
- xSpinal canal obstruction impairing CSF circulation
TB-500
Evidence Level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA Status
Research compound
Safety Overview
TB-500 has shown a good safety profile across preclinical studies and limited human research. It's a fragment of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring protein in your body involved in healing. Most side effects are mild and transient, primarily injection site reactions. However, large-scale clinical trials are still needed to fully establish its safety profile in humans.
Contraindications
- xPregnancy or planning to become pregnant
- xCurrently breastfeeding
- xActive cancer or history of cancer
- xKnown allergy to peptide components
- xChildren and adolescents
Decision Guide
Which is
right for you?
Choose Ziconotide (Prialt) if...
- Severe chronic pain management
- Opioid-refractory neuropathic pain
- Cancer-related intractable pain
- Reducing systemic opioid dependence
Choose TB-500 if...
- Accelerating injury recovery
- Tendon and ligament healing
- Reducing chronic inflammation
- Post-surgical recovery support