Combinations of an endothelin receptor antagonist and an antiepileptic compound having pain alleviating properties or analgesic

The present invention is a novel combination effective for alleviating pain comprising a pain alleviating effective amount of an endothelin receptor antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and from 1 to 3 compounds independently selected from the group consisting of antiepileptic compounds having pain alleviating properties and analgesics, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same. The administration of endothelin receptor antagonists in these novel combinations results in an improved reduction in the frequency and severity of pain. The incidence of unwanted side effects can be reduced by these novel combinations in comparison to using higher doses of a single agent treatment to achieve a similar therapeutic effect. The present invention is also directed to methods of using effective amounts of the novel combinations and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat pain in mammals, including a human.