Methods of treating pediatric patients using dexmedetomidine

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of administering an effective amount of dexmedetomidine to a pediatric patient in order to reduce the incidence of neurological damage. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of providing sedation or analgesia to a pediatric patient by administering a dexmedetomidine infusion and optionally a loading dose. The dexmedetomidine can be administered before, during, or after surgery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing sedation or analgesia to a pediatric patient in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering dexmedetomidine to the pediatric patient;
 wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered as a first loading dose at a concentration of between about 0.2 to about 0.9 μg/kg prior to a second maintenance dose at a concentration of between about 0.05 to about 0.9 μg/kg/hr,   wherein the pediatric patient is about 1 year to about 17 years of age; and   wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered as a continuous infusion for a period of time of less than about 36 hours.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pediatric patient is intubated. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered to the pediatric patient in an intensive care unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is parenterally administered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered by an intravenous infusion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered before or after surgery. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered after cardiopulmonary bypass.