The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved ketamine as a treatment for any psychiatric disorder.
Ketamine is also used as a recreational drug that can be abused for its dissociative sensations and hallucinogenic effects.
What It Is
Ketamine reduces certain nervous system functions by inhibiting normalN-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activity.
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Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist.
It counteracts the effects of NMDA receptors in the body by blocking them.
Ketamine is available as ketamine hydrochloride, in a generic formulation and as the brand Ketalar.
This drug can cause a sense of dissociation from reality and may lead to fleeting hallucinations.
Additionally, ketamine can cause you to be briefly confused after waking up from surgery.
Ketamine works very quickly once it enters the body.
It can have effects within seconds, and the effects wear off within 15 to 20 minutes.
This action can differ for people who have medical issues, such as liver disease or kidney impairment.
Uses
Ketamine is used as an anesthetic in surgery for adults and children.
It is used in major and minor surgeries and for planned and emergency procedures.
There are a number of different anesthetic medications, and ketamine is usually used along with other anesthetics.
It controls pain, but it doesnt decrease muscle tone.
Most surgeries also require anesthetics that reduce muscle tone and movement.
It is typically used for anesthesia induction before other anesthetic drugs are administered.
The initial dose for anesthesia induction is administered over several minutes.
When ketamine is given for anesthesia during long surgical procedures, repeated dosing is necessary.
Risks
Ketamine should only be used in a clinical setting under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Ketamine can have side effects, including changes in blood pressure.
This drug may be contraindicated for you if your blood pressure is unstable.
Abuse
In addition to its medical use, ketamine has also been a drug of abuse.
Additionally, ketamine has been abused to facilitate sexual assault.
This medication is considered safe and may reduce the need for post-operative pain medication.
Ketamine does not cause any persistent problems when it is used for anesthesia.
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