COMPOUNDS AND COMPOSITIONS USEFUL FOR PRODUCING ANALGESIA

NOVEL COMPOUNDS AND COMPOSITIONS USEFUL FOR PRODUCING ANALGESIA Alkynamide compounds, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, of the formula: wherein X is O or S; R is straight or branched alkyne having from 11 to 23 carbon atoms; R1 is H, OH, or OCH3; R2 is OH or a short-chain ester; and wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is OH or OCH3. Compositions, useful for producing analgesia in humans or lower animals, comprise a safe and effective amount of: an alkynamide, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, or mixtures thereof; and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, Preferably, these alkynamides are N-vanillyl-alkynamides, Methods of treatment, comprising administering a safe and effective amount of these alkynamides, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, or mixtures thereof, include methods of parenteral, oral, and topical administration.