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 with 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 . A method of treating a patient to alleviate pain, comprising: administering systemically an amount of noribogaine to said patient effective to reduce or eliminate pain in said patient. 
     
     
         2 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for treating anxiety comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising noribogaine or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof in an amount sufficient to bind to the μ-opioid receptor to thereby treat said anxiety.