The present invention relates to novel and known alpha-aminoamide compounds, to a process for their preparation, to pharmaceutical composition containing them and to their use as therapeutic agents.In particular, the compounds of the present invention are endowed with analgesic properties and are particularly useful for the treatment and alleviation of chronic and neuropathic pain.Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide the use of a compound of formula (I) ##STR00001## wherein: A is a --(CH.sub.2).sub.m--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n--X-- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.v--O-- group wherein m is an integer of 1 to 4, n is zero or an integer of 1 to 4, X is --S-- or --NH--, and v is zero or an integer of 1 to 5; s is 1 or 2; R is a furyl, thienyl, or pyridyl ring or a phenyl ring optionally substituted by one or two substituents independently chosen from halogen, cyano, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkoxy and trifluoromethyl; R.sub.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl; one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or phenyl; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 taken together with the carbon atom to which they are linked form a C.sub.3-C.sub.6 cycloalkyl ring; or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are both methyl; R.sub.4 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl.