What is ketamine UK?
Ketamine UK is a dissociative anesthetic used in medical procedures to put you to sleep for surgery, and to prevent pain and discomfort. Ketamine for depression and anxiety is currently being researched, using lower doses. Ketamine is also a drug of abuse that is used illegally recreationally for its hallucinogenic properties and is known to be a “date rape” drug, as it causes short-term memory loss.
When used for anesthesia, ketamine UK is given as an intravenous injection (IV) or as an intramuscular injection (IM). Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist.
Esketamine (Spravato), one of the forms of racemic ketamine, was approved in 2019 for specific types of depression. Spravato is a nasal spray that is used under strict medical supervision and is not used by patients at home.
Ketamine UK became an FDA-approved medicine on February 19, 1970, as a general anesthetic to be used as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation. It is also used for the induction of anesthesia before the administration of other general anesthetic agents and as a supplement to other anesthetic agents.
Who should not use ketamine UK?
Ketamine UK should not be used in patients for whom a significant elevation of blood pressure would constitute a serious hazard or in patients with known hypersensitivity to ketamine or any excipient.
ketamine UK Warnings
Emergence reactions: Tell your caregivers if you have hallucinations or unusual thoughts while waking up from anesthesia.
Hemodynamic instability. Temporary increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac index may be observed during administration. Vital signs and cardiac function should be monitored during administration.
The risk of respiratory depression may occur with overdosage or too rapid a rate of administration. Maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation
Risks of using ketamine alone for procedures of the pharynx, larynx, or bronchial tree. Pharyngeal and laryngeal reflexes are not suppressed with ketamine UK when it is used alone. Avoid use as a sole anesthetic agent in surgery or diagnostic procedures of the pharynx, larynx, or bronchial tree. Muscle relaxants may be required.
Pediatric neurotoxicity. Studies conducted in young animals and children suggest repeated or prolonged use of general anesthetic or sedation drugs in children younger than 3 years may have negative effects on their developing brains. Discuss with parents and caregivers the benefits, risks, timing, and duration of surgery or procedures requiring anesthetic and sedation drugs. ketamine UK
Drug-induced liver injury is associated with the administration of this medicine.
Increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure. An increase in intracranial pressure has been reported following the administration of this medicine. Patients with elevated intracranial pressure should be in a monitored setting with frequent neurologic assessments. ketamine UK
Why is Ketamine UK Used Medically?
- Ketamine UK can provide pain relief and short-term memory loss (for example, amnesia of a medical procedure).
- In surgery, it is used as an induction and maintenance agent for sedation and to provide general anesthesia.
- It has also been used for pain control in burn therapy, battlefield injuries, and in children who cannot use other anesthetics due to side effects or allergies.
- Ketamine UK, through blocking at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) site, has a rapid action in controlling symptoms of depression and acute suicidal ideation.
- At normal doses, it is often preferred as an anesthetic in patients at risk of bronchospasm and respiratory depression.
How Quickly Does Ketamine Work?
- An injection yields a quick response, with effects occurring in seconds to minutes.
- “Snorting” leads to effects in roughly 5 to 15 minutes (this is the most common method of abuse).
- Oral consumption requires between 5 and 30 minutes.
- Ketamine UK
The effects of abuse typically last 1 to 2 hours, but the user’s judgment, senses, and coordination may be affected for up to 24 hours or longer. Sensations the user may seek include floating, stimulation, and visual effects.
High doses may dangerously reduce breathing, and lead to muscle spasms or weakness, dizziness, balance difficulty, impaired vision, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting, and severe confusion. Ketamine UK
Binge use, where the user indulges in the drug in excess amounts in a short period, has been reported, as well.
Typical Ketamine Recreational Dose Ranges
| Dose | Route |
| 75 to 125 mg | Intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous injection |
| 60 to 250 mg | Insufflation (intranasal or “snorting”) |
| 50 to 100 mg | Intravenously (IV) |
| 200 to 300 mg | Orally (by mouth) |
