Ketamine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Ketamine?

What is ketamine for?

Ketamine is a type of anesthesia (general anesthesia) that is most widely used for surgical procedures. Doctors can inject this drug into a muscle or be given via an IV line (intravenously).

Ketamine works to interfere with signals in the brain that regulate the body's response to pain and awareness. So by taking this medicine, you will not feel anything, including pain, during a surgical or surgical procedure because you are completely unconscious.

Ketamine is considered relatively safer than other types of anesthetics because it does not affect the airway and does not inhibit blood circulation.

This drug is included in hard drugs that can only be used with a doctor's prescription. When used sparingly, this drug has the potential to cause dangerous side effects that can have serious consequences. In severe cases, this drug can also cause psychological addiction.

Therefore, the use of this drug must be closely monitored by a doctor.

How do I use Ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic that is available as an injection. Only a doctor can administer ketamine for you.

Doctors can give the drug by injection in a muscle (intramuscular) or in a vein (intravenously). The location of drug administration is adjusted to the patient's condition and the procedure they are going to undergo.

Your doctor will closely monitor your breathing, blood pressure, heart function, and other vital signs to ensure that your body is responding positively to treatment.

Usually the patient will feel strange or a little confused when he wakes up from the anesthesia. No need to worry, because this is normal.

However, make sure you consult a doctor immediately if you experience discomfort that even makes it difficult for you to do something. If you have other questions, you should not hesitate to ask the doctor directly.

How is ketamine stored?

Ketamine is a drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so.

Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Ketamine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of ketamine for adults?

Dosage of the drug by injection into the muscle (intramuscular)

Ketamine doses ranging from 6.5 mg / kg to 13 mg / kg body weight usually produce an anesthetic effect for 12 to 25 minutes during a surgical procedure. Dosage can be added according to patient needs.

For other medical procedures that do not cause pain, the starting dose is usually 4 mg / kg.

Dosage of the drug by injection into a vein (intravenous)

The initial ketamine dosage ranges from 1 mg / kg body weight to 4.5 mg / kg body weight. The average dose required to produce an anesthetic effect for five to ten minutes is 2 mg / kg BW.

What is the ketamine dosage for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

The dosage for adults and children may be different. Doctors usually determine a suitable drug dosage based on the level of phosphate in the patient's blood as well as their response to treatment.

Therefore, be sure to always consult a doctor before taking any type of drug. This is solely to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

In what dosage is ketamine available?

This drug is available in the form of intravenous and intramuscular injection fluids in strengths of 10 mg / mL, 50 mg / mL, and 100 mg / mL.

Ketamine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Ketamine?

Just like drugs in general, this one drug also has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. Some of the most common side effects of Ketamine that patients complain about are:

• The dreamy feeling
• Sleepy
• Blurred, or double vision
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Gag
• No appetite
• Sleep disorders such as insomnia
• Dazed or confused
• Tingling or numbness in certain body parts
• Increased pressure in the eyes and brain
• Pain in the injection area
• Rash like measles
• Increased blood pressure and pulse
• Increased respiratory rate

Other less common side effects that you should be aware of include:

• Feel like passing out
• Heart rate slows or weakens
• Shallow or short breath
• Pain or heat when urinating
• The movement of the muscles jerks like spasms
• There is blood in the urine
• Chest pain or tightness
• Lips, fingers and toes, and pale or bluish skin
• The body feels weak, lethargic, and very weak
• Eating disorders such as anorexia
• Anxiety, aka anxiety disorder
• Excess saliva production (hypersecretion of saliva)
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction)
• Drastic increase in blood pressure
• Vision problems.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Ketamine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Ketamine?

The things you need to know before taking ketamine are:

Allergy

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies, especially an anesthetic allergy. This product may contain active ingredients that can cause severe allergic reactions or other problems.

Please ask directly to the doctor for more detailed information.

History of certain diseases

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your actual condition. This includes if you have or are currently having diseases such as:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Chronic dehydration
• Coronary heart disease
• Heart attack
• Lung or upper respiratory infection
• Alcoholism or alcoholism
• Glaucoma
• Severe eyeball injury
• Head injury
• Hydrocephalus
• Hypovolemia
• Swelling of the brain
• Brain tumor
• Blood disorders such as acute intermittent porphyria
• Thyroid disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia or acute psychosis
• Etc

Certain drugs

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and herbal products).

You should also tell your doctor if during the past 14 days you have been regularly taking MAO inhibitor drugs. Therefore, the risk of dangerous drug interactions can occur. Some examples of MAO inhibitor drugs include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Another side effect

This medication may cause drowsiness as a side effect. Therefore, avoid driving or operating large machinery until the effect of the drug is completely gone.

Pregnant and breastfeeding

During pregnancy, this medicine should be used only when needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor..

Is Ketamine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication

Ketamine is included in pregnancy risk category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Ketamine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Ketamine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

A number of drugs that are considered to have negative interactions with the drug Ketamine are:

• Zolpidem
• Lorazepam
• Diphenhydramine
• Duloxetine
• Hydromorphone
• Fentanyl
• Clonazepam
• Diazepam
• Lamotrigine
• Pregabalin
• Oxycodone
• Propofol
• Quetiapine
• Buprenorphine / naloxone
• Tramadol
• Midazolam
• Alprazolam
• Levothyroxine
• Captopril
• Amlodipine
• Theophylline
• Sertaline
• Memantin
• Benzodiapine
• Thyroxine
• Atracurium
• Tubocurarin
• Thiopental

There may be other drugs that have not been mentioned above. Please consult a doctor directly for a complete list of drugs that can cause interactions with Ketamine.

Can food or alcohol interact with Ketamine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Ketamine?

Other health conditions that you have can affect the use of Ketamine drugs. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Chronic alcohol
• Acute alcohol poisoning
• Diseases that attack the brain. Either because of an injury or a tumor in the brain.
• History of drug abuse or dependence
• Coronary artery disease (congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia, and myocardial infarction)
• Cirrhosis or other impaired liver function
• Airway obstruction
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Chronic dehydration
• Lung or upper respiratory infection
• High eye pressure (glaucoma)
• Hydrocephalus
• Hypovolemia
• Tachyaremia
• Blood disorders such as acute intermittent porphyria
• Psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia or acute psychosis
• Hyperthyroidism

There may be many other conditions which have not been mentioned above. Therefore, before using Ketamine drugs, be sure to tell your doctor about all medical history that you have experienced.

That way, the doctor will provide other anesthetics that are safer and suitable for your condition.

Ketamine overdose

What should I do if I overdose on ketamine?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ketamine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.