Clonidine compounds in a biodegradable fiber

摘要

Effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine in a fiber at or near a target site, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to 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 fiber formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this pain relief can be continued for at least three days.

主权项

1. An implantable fiber for reducing or treating pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable fiber comprising a memory shape fiber and having a first end and a second end, and at least a portion configured to be wrapped around or sutured to a target tissue site beneath the skin of the patient,
wherein said implantable fiber comprises clonidine in an amount from about 0.1 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the implantable fiber, and at least one biodegradable polymer, and wherein the implantable fiber comprises (i) a burst release surface configured to release at a site beneath the skin a bolus dose of the clonidine in an amount of from about 10% to about 50% of the clonidine during the first 24 hours after implantation and (ii) a sustain release layer configured to release an effective amount of the clonidine over an additional period of at least three days.