Treatment of neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia

Abstract

A compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which R 1 and R 2 are independently H or methyl (for example N,N-dimethyl-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutyl amine hydrochloride optionally in the form of its monohydrate) is used for treating fibromyalgia or neuropathic pain, such as pain associated with diabetes mellitus, shingles, nerve injury and varied peripheral neuropathies.

1 . A method of treating fibromyalgia comprising administering to a human in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I,  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       an enantiomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in which R 1  and R 2  are independently H or methyl, in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.  
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  in which the neuropathic pain is associated with diabetes mellitus, shingles, nerve injury and varied peripheral neuropathies.  
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is N,N-dimethyl-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride.  
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is N,N-dimethyl-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutylamine hydrochloride in the form of its monohydrate.  
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (+) N-[1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutyl}-N-methylamine.  
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (−)-N-{1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutyl}-N-methylamine.  
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (+)-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutylamine.  
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (−)-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutylamine.  
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (+)-N-{1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutyl}-N-N-dimethylamine.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (−)-N-{1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutyl}-N-N-dimethylamine.  
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (+)-N-{1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutyl}-N-methylamine.  
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (+)-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutylamine.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the compound of formula I is (+)-N-{1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]-3-methylbutyl}-N-N-dimethylamine.  
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled)