There are described methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of pain in a mammal wherein the method comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a pain inhibitor comprising a pain inhibiting peptide having an amino acid sequence of more than 6 contiguous arginine residues, or a physiologically acceptable salt of the peptide. The pain inhibitor can be administered in combination with at least one analgesic and/or at least one anti-inflammatory drug. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the pain inhibitor together with at least one analgesic and/or at least one anti -inflammatory drug are also provided. The pain may, for example, be selected from one or more of neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, idiopathic pain and nociceptive pain.
