Noribogaine in the treatment of pain and drug addiction

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods of treating patients for pain by administering noribogaine. Noribogaine may also be used to treat patients for the symptoms associated withdrawal from drug dependency. In the latter case, the noribogaine treatment should be supplemented with the administration of an opioid antagonist such as naloxone.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 a) noribogaine; and   b) one or more opioid antagonists.   
     
     
         20 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 19 , wherein said composition is in unit dose form and wherein one or more of said unit doses provide an amount of said noribogaine and an amount of said one or more opioid antagonists effective to treat drug dependency, or drug abuse, or to produce analgesia in a patient to whom said unit dose or unit doses are administered. 
     
     
         21 . The pharmaceutical composition of either  claim 19 , wherein said noribogaine is present at a concentration of between 0.1 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml. 
     
     
         22 . The pharmaceutical composition of either  claim 19 , wherein said opioid antagonist is naloxone present at 0.05 mg to 0.5 mg for each mg of noribogaine. 
     
     
         23 . The pharmaceutical composition of either  claim 19 , wherein said opioid antagonist is naltrexone present at 0.05 mg to 0.5 mg for each mg of noribogaine. 
     
     
         24 . The pharmaceutical composition of either  claim 19 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition is formulated for transdermal delivery.