Ketamine: what it is for, how to use it and side effects

Ketamine is an anesthetic and sedative indicated for short-term surgeries or medical procedures that do not require muscle relaxation, such as cesarean section, debridement, skin grafts in cases of burns or lumbar puncture, for example.

This medication, also known as ketamine or ketamine, may also be indicated to treat severe depression or when this disease does not respond to conventional treatments. Check out other treatments recommended for depression.

Ketamine is only found in hospitals or medical clinics, under the names Ketamin or Ketalar, in the form of injections or inhalations, which must be administered in individual doses by the doctor.

What is it for

Ketamine is indicated for:

• Induce and maintain general anesthesia;
• Short-term surgeries;
• Superficial surgeries;
• Complement anesthesia with nitrous oxide or other anesthetics;
• Vaginal or cesarean birth;
• Dystocic births;
• Curettage;
• Debridement;
• Painful bandages;
• Skin grafting in people with burns;
• Pneumoencefalografia;
• Ventriculografia;
• Myelograph;
• Lumbar puncture;
• Surgeries or diagnostic tests on the eyes, ears, nose and mouth;
• Surgeries or diagnostic tests on the pharynx, larynx or bronchial tree, together with a muscle relaxant;
• Sigmoidoscopia;
• Minor surgeries on the anus or rectum;
• Circumcision;
• Manipulation or reduction of fractures;
• Femoral pin placement;
• Amputations;
• Bone biopsies;
• Cardiac catheterization.

Furthermore, ketamine can be indicated for anesthesia in people with depressed vital functions, as it does not affect breathing and the functioning of vital organs.

Ketamine to treat depression

Ketamine can also be indicated to treat severe or refractory depression, which is when the disease does not respond to treatments with conventional antidepressant medications, helping to quickly alleviate the symptoms of this disease.

This happens because ketamine helps activate glutamate in the brain, a substance that, in low amounts, can cause the symptoms of depression. Additionally, ketamine can also stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that improves neuroplasticity by changing negative thought patterns.

How to use

Ketamine must be used through injection directly into a vein or muscle, or in the form of a nasal spray, which must be administered by a doctor.

Ketamine doses must be calculated individually, taking into account the person’s age, body weight and physical condition, as well as the type and time of procedure to be performed.

It is important that after administering the medication, the person does not drive, and it is recommended to have a companion who can take them home.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects of using ketamine are mental confusion, dreams or delusions, increased blood pressure or heart rate.

In addition, side effects may occur that should be reported to the doctor immediately, such as pain or difficulty urinating, loss of bladder control, blood in the urine, dizziness, slow heartbeat, weak breathing or muscle spasms that may look like seizures.

Who shouldn’t use

Ketamine should not be used by people with high blood pressure, severe heart failure, acute alcohol poisoning or by people who frequently drink alcohol, or who have had a stroke.

Furthermore, this anesthetic should not be used by people who are allergic to ketamine or any other component of the formula.

During pregnancy or breastfeeding, it should only be used with medical advice and supervision.