Methods for the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Dependence
The present invention relates to methods of and compositions for treating and relieving symptoms and disease associated with indications caused by a physiological drive to alleviate a sensation of anxiety. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods of and compositions for treating and relieving symptoms associated with substance abuse and withdrawal. The present invention relates to methods of and compositions for treating and relieving symptoms associated with addiction to antidepressants, opiates, nicotine or marijuana. In one method, a patient is treated with a composition that directly or indirectly modulates GABA A by modulating the expression of the GABA A receptor a 4 subunit.
1 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . A method of treating addiction to anti-depressants, opiates, nicotine or marijuana in a patient comprising administering to the patient a composition comprising a compound that selectively modulates GABA A receptor expression and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the compound is flumazenil or miltirone.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the flumazenil is administered in a therapeutically effective quantity.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the therapeutically effective quantity of flumazenil is between 0.5 mg/day and 10 mg/day.
31 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the flumazenil is administered at a rate of between 0.1 and 0.3 mg over predetermined time intervals for a total administration of between 0.5 mg/day and 10 mg/day.
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the predetermined time interval is in the range of 1 and 15 minutes.
33 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the flumazenil is administered at a rate of between 0.1 and 0.3 mg over predetermined time intervals for a total administration of between 1.0 mg/day and 3.0 mg/day.
34 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising administering an inhibitor of neurosteroid production in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier prior to administering the composition comprising the compound that selectively modulates GABA A receptor expression.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the inhibitor of neurosteroid production is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor is finasteride.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the finasteride is administered in an amount of less than 10 mg/day.
38 . A method of treating addiction to anti-depressants, opiates, nicotine or marijuana in a patient comprising:
assessing the patient for treatment compatibility;
preparing the patient for treatment; and,
administering to the patient a composition comprising a compound that selectively modulates GABA A receptor expression in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein preparing the patient for treatment includes withdrawing the patient from current treatment.
40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein preparing the patient for treatment includes placing the patient in a state of withdrawal.
41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein the patient is a female patient and the female patient is placed in a state of withdrawal by administering to the female patient a contraceptive and then ceasing administration of the contraceptive.
42 . The method of claim 40 , wherein the patient is placed in a state of withdrawal by administering to the patient a composition comprising an inhibitor of neurosteroid production in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
43 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the compound is flumazenil.
44 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the flumazenil is administered in a therapeutically effective quantity.
45 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the therapeutically effective quantity of flumazenil is between 0.5 mg/day and 10 mg/day.
46 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the flumazenil is administered at a rate of between 0.1 and 0.3 mg over predetermined time intervals for a total administration of between 0.5 mg/day and 10 mg/day.
47 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the predetermined time interval is in the range of 1 and 15 minutes.
48 . The method of claim 43 , wherein the flumazenil is administered at a rate of between 0.1 and 0.3 mg over predetermined time intervals for a total administration of between 1.0 mg/day and 3.0 mg/day.
49 . The method of claim 42 , wherein the inhibitor of neurosteroid production is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
50 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor is finasteride.
51 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the finasteride is administered in an amount of less than 10 mg/day.