Medicinal preparation for external use

1. A pharmaceutical composition for external use comprising N 2 -{[1-ethyl-6-(4-methylphenoxy)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]methyl}-L-alaninamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, wherein the composition is substantially free from water.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , further comprising an external base comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of white petrolatum, yellow petrolatum, a gelled hydrocarbon, a paraffin, lanolin, hydrous lanolin, a lanolin alcohol, polyethylene glycol, silicon, a wax, a vegetable oil, lard, squalane, and a simple ointment.

3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the active ingredient in an amount of 0.01% (w/v)-10% (w/v).

4. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises an amount of water of 5% or less based on a total mass of the composition.

5. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition is in a dosage form of an embrocation, a patch or a spray.

6. The composition according to claim 5 , wherein the embrocation is an ointment.

7. The composition according to claim 1 , for use in the treatment and/or prevention of pain.

8. The composition according to claim 7 , wherein the pain is peripheral neuropathic pain.

9. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the active ingredient in an amount such that 0.1 mg or more of the active ingredient can be administered at a time in topical external administration.

10. A method of treating or preventing pain, comprising administering the composition according to claim 1 to a subject in need thereof.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the pain is peripheral neuropathic pain.

12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the composition comprises 0.1 mg or more of the active ingredient.

13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the composition is in a dosage form of an ointment.