Compositions for oral administration of zoledronic acid or related compounds for treating complex regional pain syndrome

1. A method of treating pain associated with complex regional pain syndrome comprising orally administering zoledronic acid to a human being in need thereof, wherein the amount of zoledronic acid orally administered to the human being within a period of about one month is about 300 mg to about 400 mg.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the zoledronic acid is in an acid form.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the zoledronic acid is in a salt form.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the zoledronic acid is orally administered in at least two consecutive doses that are at least about 1 week apart.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AUC of zoledronic acid in the human being, measured over a period of one month, is about 100 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AUC of zoledronic acid in the human being, measured over a period of one month, is about 500 ng·h/mL to about 1000 ng·h/mL.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AUC of zoledronic acid in the human being, measured over a period of one month, is about 500 ng·h/mL to about 700 ng·h/mL.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AUC of zoledronic acid in the human being, measured over a period of one month, is about 700 ng·h/mL to about 1000 ng·h/mL.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of at least about 30 ng/mL.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 30 ng/mL to about 50 ng/mL.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 50 ng/mL to about 150 ng/mL.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 50 ng/mL to about 80 ng/mL.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 80 ng/mL to about 120 ng/mL.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 120 ng/mL to about 200 ng/mL.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein, at the beginning of treatment, the human being has an average weekly pain intensity of at least 4 on the 0-10 numeric rating scale.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein, at the beginning of treatment, the human being has an average weekly pain intensity of at least 5 on the 0-10 numeric rating scale.

17. A method of treating pain associated with complex regional pain syndrome comprising orally administering a dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in an acid form or a salt form to a human being in need thereof, wherein the bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form is about 3% to about 4%, as determined when orally administered to a human being who has fasted for eight hours.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein a single oral administration of the dosage form results in an AUC for zoledronic acid of about 130 ng·hr/mL to about 160 ng·hr/mL.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein a single oral administration of the dosage form results in an AUC for zoledronic acid of about 300 ng·hr/mL to about 350 ng·hr/mL.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein a single oral administration of the dosage form results in an AUC for zoledronic acid of about 405 ng·hr/mL to about 450 ng·hr/mL.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of at least about 30 ng/mL.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 30 ng/mL to about 50 ng/mL.

23. The method of claim 17 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 50 ng/mL to about 150 ng/mL.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 50 ng/mL to about 80 ng/mL.

25. The method of claim 17 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 80 ng/mL to about 120 ng/mL.

26. The method of claim 17 , wherein orally administering zoledronic acid in the acid form or the salt form to the human being results in a C max of zoledronic acid of about 120 ng/mL to about 200 ng/mL.

27. The method of claim 17 , wherein the complex regional pain syndrome was precipitated by a traumatic injury.

28. The method of claim 17 , wherein an amount of an opioid that is administered to the human being is reduced after the dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the acid or the salt form is orally administered.

29. The method of claim 17 , wherein, at the beginning of treatment, the human being has an average weekly pain intensity of at least 4 on the 0-10 numeric rating scale.

30. The method of claim 17 , wherein, at the beginning of treatment, the human being has an average weekly pain intensity of at least 5 on the 0-10 numeric rating scale.