Methods and compositions for maintaining opioid efficacy in the treatment of pain
AssigneeEast Carolina University
InventorsKori Brewer, Stefan Clemens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods for treating and/or managing pain. The invention further provides methods for reducing or inhibiting opioid tolerance, reducing risk of opioid addiction or dependence, restoring opioid efficacy, and enhancing the therapeutic effect of an opioid. The invention further provides compositions for use in the methods of the invention.
Claims17
A method of treating pain in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an opioid and a dopamine type 3 receptor (D3R) agonist, thereby treating pain in the subject.
A method of reducing or inhibiting opioid tolerance in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an opioid and a dopamine type 3 receptor (D3R) agonist, thereby reducing or inhibiting opioid tolerance in the subject.
A method of reducing risk of opioid addiction or dependence in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an opioid and a dopamine type 3 receptor (D3R) agonist, thereby reducing risk of opioid addiction or dependence in the subject.
A method of restoring opioid efficacy in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an opioid and a dopamine type 3 receptor (D3R) agonist, thereby restoring opioid efficacy in the subject.
A method for enhancing the therapeutic effect of an opioid in a subject, comprising:
- a) administering an effective amount of a D3R agonist to a subject;
- and
- b) administering a subtherapeutic amount of the opioid to the subject,
- wherein the therapeutic effect of the subtherapeutic amount of the opioid is enhanced as compared to the effect of the subtherapeutic amount of the opioid administered without the D3R agonist.
A composition comprising:
- (a) at least one opioid;
- (b) at least one dopamine type 3 receptor agonist;
- and
- (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.
A kit for treating pain, comprising at least one opioid and at least one dopamine type 3 receptor agonist.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.