Central neuropathic pain is treated with an analgesic composition that consists essentially of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In one embodiment, the invention includes chronic administration of the (NMDA) receptor antagonist. In another embodiment, the invention is use of an NMDA receptor antagonist or component thereof for the manufacture of a medicament than includes an analgesic component that consists essentially of an NMDA receptor antagonist for the chronic treatment of central neuropathic pain.
