SUBLINGUAL DEXMEDITOMIDINE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

1 . A method of treating or preventing pain comprising

applying to the oral mucosa of a human a pharmaceutical composition comprising a dosage of dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid vehicle,

wherein said dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is absorbed through said oral mucosa and produces analgesia without sedation.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said dosage of dexmedetomidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is between about 0.05 μg/kg and about 1.50 μg/kg.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plasma C max of dexmedetomidine upon transmucosal absorption into the systemic circulatory system of said human is less than about 0.30 ng/mL.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying step comprises sublingually or buccally applying said pharmaceutical composition to the oral cavity of said human.