Patent ID: 8329744

Claim:
A method of reducing the intensity of the serotonin syndrome in a human to whom levorphanol is being administered, the method comprising orally administering to the human a pharmaceutical composition comprising a blend of a) an effective amount of levorphanol and b) a serotonin surge protector (SSP) selected from the group consisting of: i) hydrogenated vegetable oils; ii) coconut oil products; iii) polyoxyethylene stearates; iv) polyoxyethylene distearates; v) glycerol monostearate; and vi) waxes that are poorly soluble in water and that have a melting point in the range from 40 to 100 degrees Celsius; the SSP being present in an amount sufficient to extend release of the levorphanol, relative to the same composition lacking the SSP, wherein the blend has a melting point greater than 20 degrees Celsius.