Methods Useful for the Treatment of Pain, Arthritic Conditions or Inflammation Associated with a Chronic Condition

Abstract

Methods, including those for administering novel pharmaceutical compositions, dosage forms containing an opioid active pharmaceutical ingredient, are useful for treating pain, arthritic conditions and/or inflammation associated with a chronic condition, including pain from arthritis and inflammation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating pain, said method comprising administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration which comprises:
 (a) an opioid;   (b) sucrose acetate isobutyrate;   (c) triacetin;   (d) isopropyl myristate;   (e) cellulose acetate butyrate;   (f) hydroxyethyl cellulose;   (g) colloidal silicon dioxide; and   (h) butylated hydroxytoluene, wherein one or more symptoms or signs associated with the subject's pain is alleviated.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (i) the opioid is in the form of a free base or a salt, and/or   (ii) the opioid is micronized, and/or   (iii) the opioid is oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone or hydromorphone.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered no more than twice in a 24-hour period. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is encapsulated. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pain is associated with cancer or the pain is chronic pain such as chronic pain that is associated with an arthritic condition. 
     
     
         6 . A method for treating an arthritic condition, said method comprising administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration which comprises:
 (a) an opioid;   (b) sucrose acetate isobutyrate;   (c) triacetin;   (d) isopropyl myristate;   (e) cellulose acetate butyrate;   (f) hydroxyethyl cellulose;   (g) colloidal silicon dioxide; and   (h) butylated hydroxytoluene, wherein one or more symptoms or signs associated with the subject's arthritic condition are alleviated.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 (i) the opioid is in the form of a free base or a salt, and/or   (ii) the opioid is micronized, and/or   (iii) the opioid is oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone or hydromorphone.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered no more than twice in a 24-hour period. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the arthritic condition is associated with a joint, hip, knee, back, neck, or lower back of the subject. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating inflammation, said method comprising administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration which comprises:
 (a) an opioid;   (b) sucrose acetate isobutyrate;   (c) triacetin;   (d) isopropyl myristate;   (e) cellulose acetate butyrate;   (f) hydroxyethyl cellulose;   (g) colloidal silicon dioxide; and   (h) butylated hydroxytoluene, wherein one or more symptoms or signs associated with the subject's inflammation are alleviated.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 (i) the opioid is in the form of a free base or a salt, and/or   (ii) the opioid is micronized, and/or   (iii) the opioid is oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone or hydromorphone.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered no more than twice in a 24-hour period. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the inflammation is associated with an arthritic condition which preferably is associated with a joint, hip, knee, back, neck, or lower back of the subject. 
     
     
         14 . A pharmaceutical composition for oral administration to a human subject, the pharmaceutical composition comprising: (a) an opioid; (b) sucrose acetate isobutyrate; (c) triacetin; (d) isopropyl myristate; (e) cellulose acetate butyrate; (f) hydroxyethyl cellulose; (g) colloidal silicon dioxide; and (h) butylated hydroxytoluene. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein:
 (i) the opioid is in the form of a free base or a salt, and/or   (ii) the opioid is micronized, and/or   (iii) the opioid is oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone or hydromorphone.   
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein said composition is intended for administration to a subject no more than twice in a 24-hour period. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein said composition is encapsulated.