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 in a pediatric patient in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a concentration of between about 0.005 to about 50 μg/mL to the pediatric patient;
 wherein the dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered as a continuous infusion at a concentration of between about 0.005 μg/kg/hr to about 1.5 μg/kg/hr; and 
 wherein the pediatric patient is less than about 17 years of age. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered at a concentration of between about 0.005 μg/kg/hr to about 1 μg/kg/hr. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered at a concentration of about 0.2 μg/kg/hr. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered for a period of time of less than about 36 hours. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered for a period of time of less than about 24 hours. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered by an intravenous infusion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is parenterally administered. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered to the pediatric patient in an intensive care unit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a concentration of between about 0.005 to about 5 μg/mL. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof at a concentration of about 4 μg/mL. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pediatric patient is critically ill. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pediatric patient is intubated. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pediatric patient is intubated prior to, during, or after administration of the dexmedetomidine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered as a single continuous dose. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pediatric patient is less than about 6 years of age.