Ketamine

Mechanism :

Ketamine is a rapid-acting general anesthetic producing an anesthetic state characterized by profound analgesia, normal pharyngeal-laryngeal reflexes, normal or slightly enhanced skeletal muscle tone, cardiovascular and respiratory stimulation, and occasionally a transient and minimal respiratory depression. It produces so called dissociative anesthesia.

Indication :

• Anaesthesia-induction and maintenance
• Analgesia for procedures

Contraindications :

Ketamine is contraindicated in those in whom a significant elevation of blood pressure would constitute a serious hazard, in those who have shown hypersensitivity to the drug, systemic hypertension, severe coronary or myocardial disease, cerebrovascular accident or cerebral trauma. Ketamine may produce laryngospasm, particularly in infants. It should therefore be given only by a trained anaesthetist or intensivist able to deal safely with acute upper airway obstruction.

Dosing :

Adverse Effect :

Hypo-hypertension, tachy-bradycardia, respiratory depression, apnea, laryngospasms, diplopia and nystagmus. In some patients, tonic and clonic movements sometimes resembling seizures occur due to enhanced skeletal muscle tone. Visual hallucinations, vivid dreams, increased intracranial pressure and hypersalivation have also been noted.

Interaction :

Barbiturates and/or Narcotics: Prolonged recovery time may occur if barbiturates and/or narcotics are used concurrently with ketamine.

Renal Dose :

Hepatic Dose :