The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the instillation of lipid vehicles comprised of liposomes containing
sphingomyelin or
sphingomyelin metabolites to prevent, manage, ameliorate and / or treat disorders involving
neuropathic pain and aberrant
muscle contractions, such as what occurs in bladder hyperactivity disorders such as
interstitial cystitis (IC) in animals or humans in need thereof. Also provided is a
liposome-based delivery of drugs, e.g.,
antibiotics, pain treatments and anticancer agents, to the bladder, genitourinary tract,
gastrointestinal system, pulmonary
system and other organs or body systems. In particular,
liposome-based delivery of vanilloid compounds, such as resiniferatoxin,
capsaicin, or tinyatoxin and toxins, such as
botulinum toxin is provided for the treatment of bladder conditions, including pain,
inflammation, incontinence and voiding dysftunction.