Reversal of General Anesthesia by Administration of Methylphenidate, Amphetamine, Modafinil, Amantadine, and/or Caffeine

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising anesthesia-reversing agents which facilitate or increase the time of awakening or reverse the effects of general anesthesia-induced unconsciousness. In some embodiments, the anesthesia reversing agent can be selected from any or a combination of methylphenidate (MPH), amphetamine, modafinil, amantadine, caffeine, or analogues or derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, compositions comprising at least one or more anesthesia-reversing agents can be used to facilitate awakening from anesthesia without or decreasing occurrence of delirium, and can be used in methods to treat or prevent the symptoms associated with emergence delirium, as well as treat a subject oversedated with general anesthesia. The invention also relates to methods for administering these compositions comprising anesthesia-reversing agents to subjects and for use.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of facilitating emergence from general anesthesia in a subject treated with a general anesthetic agent, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising caffeine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the caffeine, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, facilitates emergence of the subject from the general anesthesia. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein emergence of the subject from general anesthesia comprises restoration of mobility or consciousness in the subject. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the caffeine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, reduces or eliminates the effects of delirium on emergence of the subject from the general anesthesia. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the general anesthetic agent is inhalation anesthesia. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the general anesthetic agent is selected from any or a combination of isoflurane, propofol, halogenate gasses, ketamine, sevoflurane, desflurane, sodium pentothal, or etomidate. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one anesthesia-reversing agent is administered by intravenous dose. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the subject is a perioperative anesthetized patient. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the subject is no longer being administered an anesthesia agent. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the subject is administered the composition comprising caffeine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof immediately prior to, or immediately subsequent to, cessation of the administration of the general anesthetic agent. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the caffeine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is dosed to the subject in the amount of at least 1 mg caffeine/1 kg of subject body weight. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein caffeine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is dosed to the subject in the amount of between about 1 mg caffeine/1 kg of subject body weight to about 10 mg caffeine/1 kg of subject body weight. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the dose is between about 5 mg caffeine/kg of subject body weight and 10 mg caffeine/1 kg of subject body weight. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the administration of a composition comprising caffeine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is via at least one of continuous administration or pulse administration.