Methods for chronic pain management and treatment using hcg

Abstract

A gonadotropin is administered within a surprisingly effective narrow range for the purpose of treating chronic pain or other central sensitization sequelae. In one aspect, a recipient is provided with at least one of human chorionic gonodotropin (uHCG and/or rHCG), a pharmaceutically active HCG analogue, and a pharmaceutically active metabolite of the HCG or analogue at a dosage selected to provide, or be equivalent to, a human subcutaneous dosage of between 120 IU/day and 170 IU/day of HCG, and more preferably between 140 IU/day and 160 IU/day of HCG. A kit is also described, which includes a supply of the HCG-related drug, a delivery device, and a label that identifies chronic pain or central sensitization as an indication of the drug.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating at least one of chronic pain and central sensitization, in a human user; comprising:
 providing a kit comprising a supply of a drug selected from the group consisting of at least one of HCG, a pharmaceutically active HCG analogue, and a pharmaceutically active metabolite of the HCG or analogue;   providing a delivery device and   providing a label that directs administration of the drug to the human in a dosage regimen to treat at least one of chronic pain and central sensitization, wherein the daily dosage regime is between 120 IU/day and 170 IU/day, inclusive.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dosage regimen provides a subcutaneous dosage of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) between 120 IU/day and 170 IU/day, inclusive. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dosage regimen provides a daily dosage at or equivalent to a subcutaneous dosage of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) between 140 IU/day and 160 IU/day, inclusive. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a vial or cartridge with chamber(s) that includes a lyophilized preparation of the drug that is suitable for injection when mixed with a diluent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the device is selected from one or an auto-inject pen and a dial up dosing pen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chronic pain is a result of central sensitization.