Use of methylsulfonylmethane to relieve pain and relieve pain and nocturnal cramps and to reduce stress-induced deaths in animals

• US 4,973,605 A
• Filed: 07/26/1989
• Issued: 11/27/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Associates, Inc. (Balchem Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Herschler
• Inventors: Herschler, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US07/385,117
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 514/708
• US Class Current: 514/708
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/10 Sulfides; Sulfoxides; Sulfones
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/17 having the group >N—C(O)—N< or >N—C(S)—N<, e.g. urea, thiourea, carmustine isoureas, isothioureas A61K31/155; sulfonylureas A61K31/64
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/60 Salicylic acid; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/7004 Monosaccharides having only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/14 Alkali metal chlorides; Alkaline earth metal chlorides
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/46 containing sulfur A61K8/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1688 resulting in pure drug agglomerate optionally containing up to 5% of excipient
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 11/00 Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/004 Aftersun preparations

Abstract

Methylsulfonylmethane is effective to relieve pain and nocturnal cramps and to reduce stress-induced deaths in ainmals.

Claims

1. A method for inhibiting nocturnal and arthritic activity-induced muscle cramps in a person having a propensity for such muscle cramps, which comprises orally ingesting an amount of methylsulfonylmethane effective to inhibit the muscle cramps.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the person is a geriatric experiencing reoccurring nocturnal muscle cramps.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least about 10 mg of methylsulfonylmethane is ingested daily for a succession of days.

4. A method according to claim 3 of ameliorating the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis in an animal which comprises administering to an animal manifesting overt symptoms of the disease an amount of methylsulfonylmethane effective to ameliorate the pain.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the animal is a human being.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the methylsulfonylmethane is administered orally on successive days.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein the animal is a domestic or farm animal.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the methylsulfonylmethane is admixed with the animal'"'"'s feed.

10. A method according to claim 3 of alleviating intractible pain, which comprises administering intravenously to a patient suffering from a disease producing such pain an amount of methylsulfonylmethane effective to alleviate the pain.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the methylsulfonylmethane is administered as an aqueous solution over a period of at least 1/2 hour.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein at least about 1 mg/kg of body weight of the methylsulfonylmethane is administered.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.

14. A method of ameliorating the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis, or with nocturnal or arthritic activity-induced muscle cramps, with gastric hyperactivity or with intractable pain, which comprises administering to the animal or individual suffering from such pain an amount of methylsulfonylmethane effective to ameliorate the pain.