Ketamine (KEE ta meen) is an anesthetic. It is used to produce sleep before and during surgery.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ketalar
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- head injury
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- an unusual or allergic reaction to ketamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
This drug is injected into a vein or muscle. It is given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your health care provider about the use of this drug in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 16 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply. This drug is not for regular use.
What may interact with this medication?
This medicine may interact with the following medications:
- aminophylline
- antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
- certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
- certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat
- certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
- certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone
- medicines that relax muscles for surgery
- narcotic medicines for pain
- other general anesthetics like isoflurane, propofol
- phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
- theophylline
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this drug.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effects of this drug. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
