Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of Nav1.8 gene

A pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the expression of the Nav1.8 gene in an organism, comprising a dsRNA and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the dsRNA consists of a sense strand and an antisense strand that are complementary to each other, wherein said sense strand consists of SEQ ID NO:17 and said antisense strand consists of SEQ ID NO:18.

A method for inhibiting the expression of the Nav1.8 gene in a cell, the method comprising:

• (a) introducing into the cell a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), wherein the dsRNA consists of a sense strand and an antisense strand that are complementary to each other, wherein said sense strand consists of SEQ ID NO:17 and said antisense strand consists of SEQ ID NO:18;
• and
• (b) maintaining the cell produced in step (a) for a time sufficient to obtain degradation of the mRNA transcript of the Nav1.8 gene, thereby inhibiting expression of the Nav1.8 gene in the cell.

A method of treating, preventing or managing pain comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment, prevention or management a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a dsRNA, wherein the dsRNA consists of a sense strand and an antisense strand that are complementary to each other wherein said sense strand consists of SEQ ID NO:17 and said antisense strand consists of SEQ ID NO:18.