Ketamine

Generic name: ketamine [ KET-a-meen ]
Brand name: Ketalar
Dosage forms: injectable solution (10 mg/mL; 10 mg/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 100 mg/mL; 50 mg/5 mL-NaCl 0.9%; 50 mg/mL); intravenous solution (1 mg/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 10 mg/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 100 mg/10 mL-NaCl 0.9%; 50 mg/mL)
Drug class:General anesthetics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 29, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is used to put you to sleep for surgery and to prevent pain and discomfort during certain medical tests or procedures.

Ketamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Tell your caregivers if you have hallucinations or unusual thoughts while waking up from anesthesia.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with ketamine if you are allergic to it, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;

• high blood pressure;

• liver disease;

• alcoholism; or

• if you drink large amounts of alcohol.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Anesthesia may affect brain development in a young child or unborn baby (when used in the mother), leading to learning or behavior problems later in life. Long surgeries or repeated procedures pose the highest risks.

Anesthesia may still be necessary for a life-threatening condition, medical emergency, or surgery to correct a birth defect. Your doctor can give inform you about all medicines given during a surgery or procedure.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed s...