THE PRESENTLY DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER RELATES TO PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING DEXMEDETOMIDINE OR A PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE SALT THEREOF WHEREIN THE COMPOSITION IS FORMULATED AS A LIQUID FOR PARENTERAL ADMINISTRATION TO A SUBJECT, AND WHEREIN THE COMPOSITION IS DISPOSED WITHIN A SEALED CONTAINER AS A PREMATURE. THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS CAN BE USED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN PERIOPERATIVE CARE OF A PATIENT OR FOR SEDATION.