Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, producing sedation, amnesia, and analgesia. It is primarily used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia during surgical procedures and has shown efficacy in treating treatment-resistant depression and certain chronic pain conditions.
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist anesthetic used for surgery and increasingly for treatment-resistant depression.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- N01AX03
- RxNorm
- 6130
- Generic
- Ketamine
- Class
- atc-n01
- Brands
- Ketaset, Zetamine, Ketalar
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- prefilled syringe, solution
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Dosage and administration
- Usual dose
- 1-2 mg/kg IV
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- single dose for induction
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 1-2 mg/kg IV
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- single dose for induction
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
- Usual dose
- 0.5-1 mg/kg IV
- Maximum
- consult physician
- Frequency
- single dose for induction
- Instructions
- Follow physician instructions
- Duration limits
- as prescribed
- Monitoring
- standard
Overdose information
Special Populations
8 groupspregnancy
first trimesteravoid if possible
avoid use during pregnancy unless benefits outweigh risks
regular fetal monitoring
Use of this medication in this population requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
pregnancy
second trimesterreduce dose if necessary
use only when benefits outweigh risks
fetal monitoring and uterine activity assessment
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pregnancy
third trimesterreduce dose and avoid rapid administration
use lowest effective dose; avoid use during labor if possible
fetal heart rate monitoring and uterine contraction monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
lactation
breastfeedingavoid or discontinue breastfeeding for 24 hours
pump and discard breast milk for 24 hours after administration
monitor infant for excessive drowsiness
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
pediatric_age
infants and childrenweight-based dosing required; reduce dose
use lower doses; monitor respiratory status closely
continuous vital sign monitoring including respiratory function
geriatric
elderlyreduce dose by 25-50%
start with lowest effective dose; monitor for confusion and delirium
cardiac and respiratory monitoring; cognitive assessment
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
renal_impairment
moderate renal impairmentreduce dose by 25-50%
use cautiously; monitor renal function
renal function monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
hepatic_impairment
moderate hepatic impairmentreduce dose by 25-50%
use cautiously; monitor liver function
liver function tests and clinical monitoring
Use with caution and monitor for adverse effects.
Statistics and clinical data
FDA approved
FDA approval year for Ketamine
Drug class
Pharmacological classification
Common uses
Therapeutic applications
Mechanism of action
Primary pharmacological mechanism
Used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia during surgical procedures, as well as for sedation and analgesia in critical care settings. Also used off-label for treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain syndromes, and status epilepticus.
Acts as a non-selective, non-competitive antagonist at the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor. This blocking action disrupts pain transmission and produces dissociative anesthetic effects, while its metabolite norketamine retains similar activity.
Should only be administered by healthcare professionals in controlled settings. May cause emergence reactions, hypertension, vivid dreams, and hallucinations. Contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, recent MI, or psychotic disorders. Requires monitoring of vital signs during administration.
Contraindications
Conditions and patient states where this medication should be avoided or used with caution.
Do not use (1)
Known allergy to this medication or its components
Use caution (1)
Consult healthcare provider for benefits vs risks assessment
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy