Trpv1 compounds in a biodegradable polymer carrier

Abstract

Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of a TRPV1 compound (e.g., capsaicinoid compound) at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to, postoperative pain, spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discogenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least three days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least twenty-five days, at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

1 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating acute pain, wherein the method comprises implanting a drug depot in an organism to reduce or treat pain, wherein said drug depot comprises a capsaicinoid compound in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of the drug depot and at least one biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said capsaicinoid compound comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. % of the drug depot. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said biodegradable polymer comprises at least 70 wt. % of the drug depot. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said biodegradable polymer comprises at least 90 wt. % of the drug depot. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein (i) the at least one biodegradable polymer comprises polylactide (PLA) or (ii) the at least one biodegradable polymer comprises one or more of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), polylactide (PLA), polyglycolide (PGA), D-lactide, polyorthoester (POE), D,L-lactide, L-lactide, D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone, L-lactide-co-caprolactone, D,L-lactide-co-glycolide-co-caprolactone, polyesteramide, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the capsaicinoid compound comprises capsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, nonivamide or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said capsaicinoid compound is in the form of capsaicin hydrochloride or a mixture of capsaicin and a hydrochloride salt or an insoluble fatty acid salt. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said implanting comprises applying said depot at a plurality of sites that triangulate a pain generator.