Methods of treating pediatric patients using dexmedetomidine
AssigneeHospira, Inc.
InventorsMarcelo Garcia da Rocha, Wayne Wisemandle, Dennis Stalker, Edward Koo
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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.
Claims8
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 0.005 to about 0.25 μg/kg prior to a second maintenance dose at a concentration of between about 0.005 to about 0.2 μg/kg/hr;
- wherein the pediatric patient is about 28 weeks gestational age to about 1 month of age;
- and
- wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered as a continuous infusion for a period of time of less than about 36 hours.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.