Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for anesthesiological applications

1. A method for inducing conscious sedation comprising orally administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising:

(a) a therapeutically effective quantity of a first pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of midazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, flunitrazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam and clorazepate, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or N-oxides thereof;

(b) a therapeutically effective quantity of a second pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of ketamine, dextrorphan, etomidate, methadone, memantine, amantadine, dextromethorphan, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or N-oxides thereof;

(c) a pharmaceutically suitable binder therefor; and

(d) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,

wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a solid item adapted for sublingual or buccal administration, the solid item being selected from the group consisting of a troche, a lozenge, a capsule, a pill, a cap, and a bolus,

thereby inducing conscious sedation in the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a therapeutically effective quantity of a third pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of β-blockers, antiemetic medicaments, NSAIDs, antihistamines, α-2-adrenergic agonists, and pain relievers and combinations thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or N-oxides thereof.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the β-blocker, the α-2-adrenergic agonist or the pain reliever is selected from the group consisting of metoprolol, propranolol, acebutolol, nadolol, atenolol, betaxolol, esmolol, bisoprolol fumarate, carvedilol, nebivolol, penbutolol, timolol, sotalol, dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, and acetaminophen.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the antiemetic medicament is selected from the group consisting of ondansentron, dolasetron, granisetron, palonosetron, promethazine, imenhydrinate, and meclizine.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the NSAID is selected from the group consisting of bromfenac, ketorolac, etodolac, sulindac, diclofenac, aceclofenac, nepafenac, tolmetin, indomethacin, nabumetone, ketoprofen, dexketoprofen, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, dexibuprofen, fenoprofen, loxoprofen, oxaprozin, naproxen, aspirin, salicylic acid, diflunisal, salsalate, mefenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, flufenamic acid, tolfenamic acid, meloxicam, piroxicam, ternoxicam, droxicam, lornoxicam, isoxicam, celecoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib, lumiracoxib, etoricoxib, firocoxib, nimesulide, clonixin, and licofelone.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the antihistamine is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyzine pamoate, hydroxyzine hydrochloride, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, meclizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, promethazine, and prochlorperazine.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a therapeutically effective quantity of a receptor antagonist to benzodiazepines.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the receptor antagonist is flumazenil.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first pharmaceutically active compound is midazolam, the second pharmaceutically active compound is ketamine and the third pharmaceutically active compound is metoprolol, and wherein the midazolam:ketamine:metoprolol ratio is between about 1:2:1 and about 1:10:1 by mass.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first pharmaceutically active compound is midazolam, the second pharmaceutically active compound is ketamine and the third pharmaceutically active compound is ondansentron, wherein the midazolam:ketamine:ondansentron ratio is about 3:25:2 by mass.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solid item is a troche.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises a polyglycol selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, methoxypolyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and polybutylene glycol, or derivatives thereof, having a molecular weight that is sufficient to provide suitable hardness and time for dissolution of the troche.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the excipient comprises a member selected from the group consisting of gelatin, sodium saccharin, stevioside, peppermint oil, any natural or artificial fruit, vegetable, flower, beverage or candy flavor, and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises a product having a molecular weight that is sufficient to provide the necessary hardness and time for dissolution of the solid item, the binder being selected from the group consisting of methoxypolyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, PEG-laureates, PEG-dilaureates, PEG-oleates, PEG-dioleates, PEG-trioleates, PEG-stearates, PEG-distearates, castor oil derivatives of PEG, palm kernel oil derivatives of PEG, corn oil derivatives of PEG, soya oil derivatives of PEG, cholesterol derivatives of PEG, phytosterol derivatives of PEG, caprate/caprylate glycerides derivatives of PEG, tocopheryl succinate derivatives of PEG, octylphenol derivatives of PEG, nonylphenol derivatives of PEG, polyglyceryl-10-laurate, polyglyceryl-10-oleate, POE-lauryl ethers, POE-oleyl ethers, POE-stearyl ethers, polysorbates, monostearate, monolaurate and monopalmitate derivatives of sucrose, and products of poly(oxypropylene)-co-poly(propylene oxide) family.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein conscious sedation is induced prior to performing a medical procedure selected from the group consisting of an ophthalmic surgery, a dental procedure, an outpatient medical procedure, an obstetric or gynecological procedure, a gastrointestinal procedure, an otolaryngological procedure, a cosmetic surgery procedure, a dermatological procedure, a podiatric procedure, an orthopedic procedure, an emergency medical treatment, a psychiatric treatment, a urological procedure and a veterinarian procedure.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the ophthalmic surgery is selected from the group consisting of cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, corneal surgery, eyelid surgery, and retinal surgery.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the dental procedure is selected from the group consisting of a tooth extraction, oral surgery, and root canal surgery.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the outpatient surgical procedure is selected from the group consisting of a medical imaging procedure, a biopsy, bone marrow harvesting, colonoscopy, endoscopy, and a laparoscopic procedure.

19. A method for inducing conscious sedation comprising orally administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising:

(a) a therapeutically effective quantity of a first pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of midazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, flunitrazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam and clorazepate, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or N-oxides thereof;

(b) a therapeutically effective quantity of a second pharmaceutically active compound selected from the group consisting of ketamine, dextrorphan, etomidate, methadone, memantine, amantadine, dextromethorphan, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates or N-oxides thereof; and

(c) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,

wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a liquid item adapted for sublingual or buccal administration,

thereby inducing conscious sedation in the patient.