Claims for Patent: 6,716,867

Summary for Patent: 6,716,867

Title:	Use of dexmedetomidine for ICU sedation
Abstract:	The present invention relates to a method of sedating a patient while in the intensive care unit comprising administering dexmedetomidine of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the patient, wherein the patient remains arousable and orientated.
Inventor(s):	Aantaa; Riku (Turku, FI), Bachand; Romeo (Mundelain, IL), Heinonen; Esa (Turku, FI)
Assignee:	Orion Corporation (Espoo, FI)
Application Number:	09/647,364
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 6,716,867
Patent Claims:	1. A method of sedating a patient in an intensive care unit, which comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of dexmedetomidine of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the patient remains arousable and orientated. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt is the sole active agent. 3. A method of sedating a patient in an intensive care unit, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition to the patient, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises an active agent and an inactive agent, wherein the active agent consists of dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, ane wherein the patient remains arousable and orientated. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dexmedetomidine pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amount to achieve a plasma concentration of 0.1-2 ng/ml. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered intravenously. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a loading dose and a maintenance dose of dexmedetomidine are administered. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the patient is a human. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the loading dose of dexmedetomidine is 0.2-2 .mu.g/kg. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the loading dose is administered in about 10 minutes. 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the maintenance dose of dexmedetomidine is 0.1-2.0 .mu.g/kg/h. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the maintenance dose is 0.2-0.7 .mu.g/kg/h. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the maintenance dose is 0.4-0.7 .mu.g/kg/h.