Methods of treating fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and pain

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and pain in an animal subject. The method generally involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of a dual serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein said dual serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor compound is characterized by a non-tricyclic structure and an equal or greater inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake than serotonin reuptake. In particular, the use of milnacipran to treat FMS, CFS, and pain is disclosed.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of treating neuropathic pain comprising orally administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of milnacipran or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the neuropathic pain is diabetic neuropathy. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the diabetic neuropathy is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the diabetic neuropathy is diabetic autonomic neuropathy. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the diabetic neuropathy is diabetic proximal neuropathy. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the diabetic neuropathy is diabetic focal neuropathy. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the milnacipran, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is administered alone or in combination with a compound that is not phenylalanine, tyrosine or tryptophan. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the milnacipran, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is administered in combination with gabapentin, pregabalin, pramipexole, L-DOPA, amphetamine, tizanidine, clonidine, tramadol, morphine, a tricyclic antidepressant, codeine, carbamazepine, sibutramine, valium or trazadone. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the amount administered is from about 25 mg to about 400 mg per day. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the amount administered is from about 100 mg to about 250 mg per day. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the amount administered is about 100 mg per day. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the amount administered is about 200 mg per day. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the amount is administered as a 50 mg dose twice per day. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the amount is administered as a 1.00 mg dose twice per day