The present invention relates to new nalmefene salts which salts fall within at least one of the two following categories: non-hydrate forming salts and non-solvate forming salts. In particular, the invention relates to the hydrogen adipate salt, the hydrogen malonate salt, the lactate salt, the hydrogen fumarate salt, the hydrogen succinate salt, the benzene sulfonate salt, the hydrogen maleate salt and the salicylate salt of nalmefene. The present invention also relates to such salts for use in therapy.

In certain embodiments the invention is directed to a process for preparing an oxycodone hydrochloride composition having less than 25 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone.

In certain embodiments the invention is directed to a process for preparing an oxycodone hydrochloride composition having less than 25 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone.

8-Substituted-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines of general structure I in which A is —CH.sub.2—OH, —CH.sub.2NH.sub.2, —NHSO.sub.2CH.sub.3,

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and Y is O, S or NOH are useful as analgesics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives and anti-addiction medications.

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8-Carboxamides, thiocarboxamides, hydroxyamidines and formamides are preferred.

8-Substituted-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines of general structure I in which A is —CH.sub.2—OH, —CH.sub.2NH.sub.2, —NHSO.sub.2CH.sub.3,

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and Y is O, S or NOH are useful as analgesics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives and anti-addiction medications.

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8-Carboxamides, thiocarboxamides, hydroxyamidines and formamides are preferred.

Methods that may be used for the manufacture of a class of chemical compounds known as morphinans, including neopine, are provided. Compositions useful for the synthesis of morphinans, including neopine, are also provided.

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The present invention provides novel therapeutic applications of low dose naltrexone (LDN). Said applications have been determined in light of the discovery by the present inventors that naltrexone acts as an antagonist of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), an innate immune receptor which elicits the production of inflammatory cytokines when agonized. Chronic inflammation and TLR9 overexpression are characteristics of a number of disorders, including certain cancers. Accordingly, the present invention provides novel uses of naltrexone in the treatment of a subject having a disorder characterised by TLR9 overexpression and/or overactivity of TLR9-mediated signalling. The present invention also provides novel uses of naltrexone in the supportive care of subject having a tumour/cancer, and methods of treating and providing supportive care to a subject, comprising the administration of naltrexone.

The present invention provides novel therapeutic applications of low dose naltrexone (LDN). Said applications have been determined in light of the discovery by the present inventors that naltrexone acts as an antagonist of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), an innate immune receptor which elicits the production of inflammatory cytokines when agonized. Chronic inflammation and TLR9 overexpression are characteristics of a number of disorders, including certain cancers. Accordingly, the present invention provides novel uses of naltrexone in the treatment of a subject having a disorder characterised by TLR9 overexpression and/or overactivity of TLR9-mediated signalling. The present invention also provides novel uses of naltrexone in the supportive care of subject having a tumour/cancer, and methods of treating and providing supportive care to a subject, comprising the administration of naltrexone.

This invention relates to opioid ketal compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.2 is H or OH, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, or when n is 0, then R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 and the carbon atoms to which they are attached together form six, or seven membered ring, which is optionally mono or disubstituted by C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. The invention also relates to oxycodone ketal compounds of Formula (IV) or (V): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of pain.

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This invention relates to opioid ketal compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.2 is H or OH, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, or when n is 0, then R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 and the carbon atoms to which they are attached together form six, or seven membered ring, which is optionally mono or disubstituted by C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. The invention also relates to oxycodone ketal compounds of Formula (IV) or (V): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of pain.

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