Description

Ketamine: What Is It?

Ketamine is a prescription drug mainly used by health care professionals as a general anaesthetic. It can also induce a dissociative anaesthetic state that decreases awareness and pain for some medical and surgical procedures. The current U.S. labelling for hydrochloride injection describes it as a general anaesthetic that can be used alone for certain procedures, for induction of anaesthesia, or in addition to other anaesthetic drugs.

This is on top of ketamine’s main effect of blocking NMDA receptors in the central nervous system. By this action it can produce profound anaesthetic and analgesic effects.

How Do You Use Ketamine?

Ketamine is administered by doctors or trained medical personnel in controlled medical settings. The FDA-approved injection can be given intravenously or intramuscularly. The healthcare team chooses the right treatment based on the procedure, the patient and the clinical situation.

Furthermore, ketamine needs to be given under medical supervision as it can influence blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and consciousness. For that reason, patients should never take prescription ketamine without appropriate medical supervision.

What are the Side Effects of Ketamine?

effects are anaesthesia, analgesia, altered awareness and dissociation. Some patients may experience temporary confusion, vivid dreams, hallucinations or agitation during recovery. These reactions are called emergence reactions and may occur after anaesthesia.

Furthermore, it may cause a transient increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Medical professionals monitor vital signs during administration.

What Are Typical Side Effects?

may have side effects, like any other medicine. Reported reactions include nausea, vomiting, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, dizziness, visual changes and confusion associated with recovery.

But the risks depend on the dose, how you take it, what other medicines you take, and your health. A health professional will tell you what to expect before the treatment.

Ketamine can affect your breathing.

Yes.  Ketamine has the potential to depress respiration, especially if it is given too rapidly or in excessive doses. Mixing ketamine with opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can also increase the risk. These combinations may produce deep sedation, respiratory depression, coma or death.

Therefore, ketamine should be used only when adequate monitoring and emergency support are available.

Is Ketamine Good for Depression?

That’s an important question, because ‘and’ and ‘e’ are sometimes discussed interchangeably online. Ketamine itself is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, but it is approved in the United States as a general anaesthetic.

Spravato is a related medicine, esketamine (the S-enantiomer of ketamine), that is marketed for psychiatric indications and has FDA-approved treatment-resistant depression in adults. The drug is subject to specific medical supervision and safety procedures.

Therefore, it is important not to assume that information on esketamine automatically applies to ketamine injection.

Is Ketamine Safe?

When appropriately selected and monitored, ketamine is safe in the hands of trained healthcare professionals. However, it carries significant risks. The current label contains warnings about changes in blood pressure and heart rate, emergence reactions, respiratory depression, liver injury and urinary complications related to prolonged use or abuse.

Long-term ketamine use or abuse has been associated with major urinary problems, including cystitis, decreased bladder capacity, ureteral narrowing, obstruction, and kidney problems.

Can Ketamine Be Abused?

Yes. Ketamine is known to have a risk of abuse and dependence. Therefore, it is important to use prescription ketamine only as directed by a qualified medical professional. Recreational or unsupervised use can lead to dangerous alterations in perception, coordination, memory and physical function.

Commonly Asked Questions About Ketamine

What is ketamine primarily used for?

Ketamine is mainly used as a general anaesthetic for appropriate diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Does ketamine make you sleep?

Ketamine induces a dissociative anaesthetic state, not normal sleep. Patients may have decreased awareness, analgesia and changes in perception.

Ketamine can increase blood pressure.

Yes. Temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate are a common side effect, so health care professionals monitor patients during treatment.

Ketamine can make you feel sick.

Yes. Ketamine has been linked to nausea and vomiting.

Can ketamine be prescribed as a medicine?

Yes. Ketamine hydrochloride injection is a prescription medicine that is given by injection into a vein or muscle by a trained healthcare professional.

Final thought

Ketamine is a prescription anaesthetic with useful medical applications. It can also affect consciousness, blood pressure, breathing and coordination. Thus, safe use requires professional assessment, appropriate administration and proper monitoring. If you are considering ketamine treatment, you should speak with a qualified healthcare professional about the benefits, risks, interactions, and alternatives instead of relying on online dosing or self-treatment information.