Dexmedetomidine premix formulation

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein the composition is formulated as a liquid for parenteral administration to a subject, and wherein the composition is disposed within a sealed container as a premixture. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used, for example, in perioperative care of a patient or for sedation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing sedation or analgesia to a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition,
 wherein the composition comprises dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a concentration of about 0.005 to about 50 μg/mL, and   wherein the dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered as a continuous infusion at a concentration of about 0.005 μg/kg/hr to about 0.25 μg/kg/hr for a period of time of less than about 36 hours.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a ready to use liquid pharmaceutical composition disposed within a sealed glass container. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is at a concentration of about 0.05 to about 15 μg/mL. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is at a concentration of about 0.5 to about 10 μg/mL. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is at a concentration of about 1 to about 7 μg/mL. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is at a concentration of about 4 μg/mL. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered perioperatively. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composition is administered before or after surgery. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the patient in an intensive care unit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is non-ventilated or intubated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is critically ill. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered as an anxiolytic. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered as an adjunct to an anesthetic. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered as an analgesic. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered as an antihypertensive agent.