Abstract: Provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the alleviation of pain in a patient with optimal ratios of morphine and oxycodone that provide superior analgesic efficacy and lower incidence of adverse side effects compared to morphine and oxycodone alone. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise morphine and oxycodone, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in ratios of about 3 to 2 to about 1 to 2, morphine to oxycodone by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reducing the risk associated with the administration of opioid analgesics in patients diagnosed or undiagnosed with respiratory illness by administering an analgesic composition comprising a sub-analgesic dosage of a p-opioid agonist selected from the group consisting of morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil, oxymorphone and hydromorphone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a sub-analgesic dosage of oxycodone which is a ?2-opioid agonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and agents that are useful in the prevention and amelioration of signs and symptoms associated with neuropathic conditions. More particularly, the present invention discloses the use of angiotensin II receptor 2 (AT2 receptor) antagonists for the treatment, prophylaxis, reversal and/or symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain, including mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal or mechanical allodynia, diabetic pain and entrapment pain, in vertebrate animals and particularly in human subjects. The AT2 receptor antagonists may be provided alone or in combination with other compounds such as those that are useful in the control of neuropathic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reducing the risk associated with the administration of opioid analgesics in patients diagnosed or undiagnosed with respiratory illness by administering an analgesic composition comprising a sub-analgesic dosage of a ?-opioid agonist selected from the group consisting of morphine, fentanyl, sufentanil, alfentanil, oxymorphone and hydromorphone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a sub-analgesic dosage of oxycodone which is a ?2-opioid agonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: An analgesic composition is disclosed comprising a sub-analgesic dosage of a &mgr;-opioid agonist, optionally in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and a sub-analgesic dosage of a &kgr;2-opioid agonist, optionally in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. There is also disclosed a method for producing analgesia in humans and lower animals which comprises administering concurrently to a human or lower animal in need of such treatment an analgesic composition of the invention.