Venomotherapy

Venomotherapy is the medical use of animal venoms or venom-derived compounds to treat disease or relieve symptoms. It includes pharmaceutical drugs developed from venom components as well as traditional or alternative practices that administer venom or crude extracts. Modern venom-derived medicines arise from pharmacological research that identifies bioactive peptides and proteins in venoms and leverages their potent, selective effects on physiological targets.

Several venom-derived drugs are approved components of medical care. Ziconotide, a synthetic analogue of ω-conotoxin MVIIA from cone snail venom, is approved for severe chronic pain and is delivered by intrathecal injection because of its distribution properties. Exendin-4, found in Gila monster venom, led to the development of the incretin mimetic exenatide for type 2 diabetes. Captopril, an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure, was developed from bradykinin-potentiating peptides identified in Brazilian pit viper venom. Additional venom-derived compounds are under development for cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.

In addition to drug development, traditional forms of venom therapy are practiced in some settings, most notably bee venom therapy (apitherapy) for conditions such as arthritis. Evidence for efficacy is limited, and safety concerns, including allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, have led mainstream medical groups to issue cautions.

Safety and regulation vary by country. Venom-derived medicines may cause serious adverse effects, require specialized administration (for example, intrathecal delivery for ziconotide), and are subject to clinical trials and regulatory review before approval. Ongoing research aims to identify new venom components, improve delivery, and expand therapeutic indications while addressing safety.