A composition having sustained pain-relieving properties such that the
composition may be administered to a subject to alleviate chronic pain.
The composition includes an effective amount of at least one inhibitor of
neurotransmitter synthesis. A method for alleviating chronic pain in a
subject for an extended period of time is also disclosed, in which the
compound is administered to a subject suffering from chronic pain at a
site of inflammation such that the administration of the compound results
in a reduction in at least one of thermal and mechanical pain responses
at the site of inflammation for a period of at least two days without any
resulting acute pain behavior. The composition may further include an
effective amount of at least one compound having analgesic effects such
that the composition also alleviates acute pain.