Methods of treating obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders

• US 6,387,956 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Original Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Inventors: Shapira, Nathan A., Keck, Paul E. Jr., Goldsmith, Toby D.
• Primary Examiner(s): KRASS, FREDERICK F
• Application Number:
  US09/534,778
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 514/646, 514/217, 514/321, 514/647, 514/651, 514/658, 514/657, 424/449
• US Class Current: 514/646
• 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 31/135 having aromatic rings , e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline methadone A61K31/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/15 Oximes (>C=N—O—); Hydrazines (>N—N<); Hydrazones (>N—N=) ; Imines (C—N=C)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/4525 containing a five-membered ring with oxygen as a ring hetero atom
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/55 having seven-membered rings, e.g. azelastine, pentylenetetrazole

Abstract

A method of treating an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder comprises the step of administering an effective amount of tramadol to an individual.

Claims

1. A method of treating an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of tramadol to an individual in need thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the tramadol is in the form of a hydrochloride salt.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder is selected from the group consisting of obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette'"'"'s syndrome, body dismorphic disorder, hypochondriasis, eating disorders, impulse control disorders, paraphilias and nonparaphilic sexual addictions, Sydeham'"'"'s chorea, torticollis, autism and combinations thereof.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder is an impulse control disorder selected from the group consisting of intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, pathological gambling, pyromania, compulsive shopping, compulsive buying, repetitive self-mutilation, onychophagia, psychogenic excoriation, trichotillomania and combinations thereof.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder is obsessive-compulsive disorder.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the individual is refractory to serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

7. A method according to claim 2, comprising the step of administering from about 50 to about 400 mg of tramadol hydrochloride per day to an individual.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the total daily amount of tramadol hydrochloride is administered in from about 2 to about 5 doses.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the individual exhibits a decrease in Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale score after about fourteen days of treatment.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of administering a serotonin reuptake inhibitor to the individual.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the serotonin reuptake inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine and mixtures thereof.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the tramadol is administered by a transepidermal patch.

13. A method of obtaining a treatment response to an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder in less than fourteen days, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of tramadol to an individual in need thereof.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the tramadol is in the form of a hydrochloride salt.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the individual exhibits a decrease in Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale score after about fourteen days of treatment.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the individual exhibits a decrease in Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale score after about seven days of treatment.

17. A method according to claim 13, further comprising treating the individual with behavior modification therapy.

18. A method according to claim 14, comprising the step of administering from about 50 to about 400 mg of tramadol hydrochloride per day to the individual.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the total daily amount of tramadol hydrochloride is administered in from about 2 to about 5 doses.

20. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of administering a serotonin reuptake inhibitor to the individual.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the serotonin reuptake inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine and mixtures thereof.

22. A method according to claim 20, comprising orally administering from about 10 to about 200 mg of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor per day to the individual.

23. A method according to claim 13, wherein the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder is selected from bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and further wherein the individual has a decreased appetite after about 14 days of treatment.

24. A method of treating an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of tramadol to and individual in need thereof on an as-needed basis.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder is Tourette'"'"'s syndrome.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the tramadol is in the form of a hydrochloride salt.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the step of administering tramadol hydrochloride comprises orally administering from about 50 to about 200 mg tramadol hydrochloride.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the step of administering tramadol hydrochloride comprises orally administering the tramadol hydrochloride at least about one hour prior to the point in time at which a decrease in Tourette'"'"'s syndrome symptoms is desired.