Ketamine (By injection)
KEE-ta-meen
Given before surgery or a medical procedure.
Drug classes
Anesthetic Adjunct (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Ketamine injection is used alone or together with other medicines to produce loss of consciousness before and during surgery or a medical procedure. It belongs to the group of medicines called general anesthetics.
Ketamine is given only by or under the immediate supervision of a medical doctor trained to use it. If you will be receiving ketamine during surgery, your doctor or anesthesiologist will give you the medicine and closely follow your progress.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. It is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines and foods can affect how ketamine works. Tell your doctor if you are using narcotic pain medicine or a barbiturate.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to ketamine.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart failure, heart disease, high blood pressure, breathing problems such as asthma, or increased spinal fluid pressure. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, or if you drink alcohol daily.
This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or confused for several hours. If you had outpatient surgery, you will need someone to drive you home. Wait at least 24 hours after you receive this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
This medicine may cause you to have unusual thoughts or behaviors after your surgery or procedure. You might feel confused or excited, or you might see or hear things that are not really there. Call your doctor if these thoughts or behaviors are severe or last longer than 24 hours.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Bloody or cloudy urine, difficult or painful urination
Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Muscle stiffness, muscle spasm, or seizure
Unusual thoughts or behavior, severe confusion, dreaming while awake, or seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Double vision or uncontrolled eye movements
Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Redness, pain, or blistering where the shot was given
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Ketalar
There may be other brand names for this medicine.