Systems and methods to treat pain locally

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for contributing to the local treatment of pain. More specifically, the disclosed systems and methods contribute to the local treatment pain by inhibiting the NFκB family of transcription factors.

1 . A method of treating pain comprising: administering one or more depots containing clonidine locally to a target tissue site causing pain in a patient in need thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more depots comprise a biopolymer that provides sustained release of the clonidine. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more depots containing the clonidine are administered locally to the perispinal region of the lumbar region of a spinal cord or are administered locally to the epidural space or the intrathecal space of the lumbar region of a spinal cord. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said one or more depots containing the clonidine are administered locally from an administration route selected from the group consisting of a catheter and drug pump, one or more local injections, polymer release, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said pain is acute or neuropathic. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said pain is sciatica or radicular pain. 
     
     
         8 . A dosing regimen comprising one or more drug depots containing clonidine and instructional information that directs the administration of said one or more depots for the local treatment of pain. 
     
     
         9 . A dosing regimen according to  claim 8  wherein said one or more depots comprise a biopolymer and clonidine disposed in the biopolymer, wherein the biopolymer allows sustained release of the clonidine. 
     
     
         10 . A dosing regimen according to  claim 8  wherein said one or more depots contain a biopolymer and the instructional information directs said one or more depots to be administered locally to the perispinal region of the lumbar region of a spinal cord or to be administered locally to the epidural space or the intrathecal space of the lumbar region of a spinal cord. 
     
     
         11 . A dosing regimen according to  claim 8  wherein said instructional information directs said one or more depots containing the clonidine to be administered locally from an administration route selected from the group consisting of a catheter and drug pump, one or more local injections, polymer release, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A dosing regimen according to  claim 8  wherein said instructional information directs said one or more depots containing the clonidine to be administered for the treatment of acute or neuropathic pain. 
     
     
         13 . A dosing regimen according to  claim 8  wherein said instructional information directs said one or more depots containing the clonidine to be administered for the treatment of sciatica or radicular pain. 
     
     
         14 . A dosing regimen according to  claim 8  wherein said dosing regimen is part of a kit used for the treatment of pain. 
     
     
         15 . A kit according to  claim 14  wherein said kit further comprises an administration form. 
     
     
         16 . A kit according to  claim 15  wherein said administration form is selected from the group consisting of a catheter and drug pump, one or more syringes for local injections, compositions adapted for polymer release, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A composition comprising one or more depots containing the clonidine wherein said one or more depots is directed to be administered locally for the treatment of pain. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A composition according to  claim 17  wherein said one or more depots contain a biopolymer and is directed to be administered locally to the perispinal region of the lumbar region of a spinal cord or is directed to be administered locally to the epidural space or the intrathecal space of the lumbar region of a spinal cord. 
     
     
         20 . A composition according to  claim 17  wherein said one or more depots is directed to be administered locally from an administration route selected from the group consisting of a catheter and drug pump, one or more local injections, polymer release, and combinations thereof.