METHOD FOR REDUCING PAIN
The present invention is direct to a method of producing analgesia in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to the subject an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivicaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyil, buprenorphine, and sufentanil, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the ω-conopeptide retains its potency and is physically and chemically compatible with the analgesic compound. A preferred route of administration is intrathecal administration, particularly continuous intrathecal infusion. The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an omega conopeptide, preferably ziconotide, an antioxidant, in combination with an analgesic selected from the group consisting of morphine, bupivicaine, clonidine, hydromorphone, baclofen, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and sufentanil.
1 . A method for reducing pain in a patient, comprising:
administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an effective amount of an ω-conopeptide, anti-oxidant, and an effective amount of an analgesic compound selected from the group consisting of morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, sufentanil, and buprenophine, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein said administering is continuous intrathecal infusion.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said ω-conopeptide is ziconotide.
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said antioxidant is methionine.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical formulation has pH between 4 to 4.5.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical formulation is administered to the patient by a drug dispensing implantable pump.
6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein said pharmaceutical formulation retains at least 80% ziconotide activity at 37° C. for at least 7 days.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein said pharmaceutical formulation retains at least 80% ziconotide activity at 37° C. for at least one month.
8 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein said analgesic compound is morphine.
9 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein said analgesic compound is hydromorphone.