ketamine injection uses
What is Ketamine?
- Ketamine (brand name: Ketalar) is a dissociative injected anesthetic (blocks sensory perception) that has been available by prescription in the U.S. since the 1970s for human and veterinary uses. Prescription ketamine is available in a clear liquid or off-white powder form for intravenous injection or as a nasal spray. ketamine injection uses
- Ketamine is also abused illegally due to its dissociative properties. Dissociative drugs can lead to distortion of sights, colors, sounds, self, and one’s environment. It is often “snorted” up the nose, injected, mixed into drinks, or smoked with marijuana or tobacco.
- Examples of other dissociative drugs include phencyclidine (PCP), Salvia divinorum and dextromethorphan (DXM). Hallucinogens include LSD, psilocybin and mescaline.
Esketamine (Spravato), the S-enantiomer of racemic ketamine, was approved in 2019 for treatment-resistant depression with an oral antidepressant in depressed patients with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. It is also used with an oral antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in adults. It is used under strict medical supervision and is not used by patients at home. ketamine injection uses
Ketaset is the ketamine brand name of a surgical anesthesia used by veterinarians
In the U.S., ketamine is classified as a schedule III drug under the DEA Controlled Substances Act; however, it is not classified as an opioid (narcotic) or barbiturate.
Why is Ketamine Used Medically?
- Ketamine can provide pain relief and short-term memory loss (for example, amnesia of a medical procedure).
- In surgery, it is used an induction and maintenance agent for sedation and to provide general anesthesia.
- It has also been used for pain control in burn therapy, battlefield injuries, and in children who cannot use other anesthetics due to side effects or allergies.
- Ketamine, through blocking at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) site, has rapid action in controlling symptoms of depression and acute suicidal ideation.
- At normal doses, it is often preferred as an anesthetic in patients at risk of bronchospasm and respiratory depression. ketamine injection uses
Pharmacology of Ketamine
Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, and it blocks HCN1 receptors. However, at higher doses it may also bind to the opioid mu and sigma receptors. It disrupts the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) glutamate. Glutamate is involved with learning, memory, emotion, and pain recognition. It can exhibit sympathomimetic activity which can lead to rapid heart rate and elevated blood pressure. ketamine injection uses
It is related to phencyclidine (PCP), but has less than 10% of the potency of pure PCP.
This agent is a lipid soluble compound, has an initial rapid distribution and large volume of distribution, with a half-life of 10 to 15 minutes. Secondarily, the drug distributes into peripheral tissues with a slower elimination half-life of up to 3 hours, undergoes hepatic metabolism and is excreted in the urine.
How is Ketamine Abused?
In addition to its legal, medical uses, ketamine and synthesized analogs have become drugs of abuse with hallucinogenic properties. It has also been used as a “date rape” drug. ketamine injection uses
When abused, it is typically insufflated (“snorted” up the nose) in social situations. It is also injected, consumed orally as a liquid (mixed into drinks), or smoked in marijuana or tobacco. It is frequently abused in combination with other substances, such as cocaine, MDMA or amphetamines. Use with multiple drugs has been fatal. ketamine injection uses
Ketamine Health Hazards & Side Effects
Abuse of ketamine can be linked with short-term and long-term problems:
- Short-term: Problems with attention, learning, and memory; dreamlike states, hallucinations; sedation; confusion; loss of memory; raised blood pressure; unconsciousness; dangerously slowed breathing.
- Long-term: Ulcers and pain in the bladder; kidney problems; stomach pain; depression; poor memory.
The most common side effects associated with ketamine when used medically are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diplopia (double vision), drowsiness, dysphoria (unease, restlessness), and confusion. There is also the risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. ketamine injection uses
Ketamine use can be fatal in people who are alcoholics or acutely intoxicated with alcohol. There are animal reports of an increased risk of toxicity when ketamine is combined with caffeine. Theoretically, this may be a concern in people who have consumed energy drinks, often done at nightclubs where ketamine may be abused.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used medically for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. It is also used as a treatment for depression, a pain management tool, and as a recreational drug. Wikipedia Formula: C13H16ClNO Other names: CI-581; CL-369; CM-52372-2 Metabolism: Liver, intestine (oral):: Major: CYP3A4, CYP2B6 Duration of action: : Intramuscular: 0.5–2 hours; Insufflation: 45–60 min; By mouth: 1–6+ hours; Routes of administration: Any Excretion: Urine: 91%; Feces: 3%; Pregnancy category: : AU: B3;. ketamine injection uses
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