What is ketamine?

What does ketamine do?

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug and chemical cousin of phencyclidine (PCP). Initially created by the Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Company in 1962, ketamine has been used in the United States as a human and veterinary anesthetic drug since 1970. Ketamine reduces pain and results in amnesia. Unlike many other anesthetic drugs, ketamine does not significantly affect most people’s ability to breathe. Ketamine  also has anti-inflammatory effects in some individuals.

What is ketamine therapy?

Although ketamine has been used in the United States as an anesthetic drug since the 1970’s, its popularity as a treatment for depression has increased in recent years. Instead of being given in an operating room, ketamine therapy for depression is often administered to patients in a doctor’s office or clinic. Ketamine therapy may be provided orally, through an intravenous infusion, or by intranasal administration. Since the beneficial effects of ketamine in the treatment of depression are not long-lasting, individuals who receive ketamine therapy may require administration of repeated doses of the drug at weekly or monthly intervals.

What are the side effects of ketamine?

Ketamine’s psychological side effects include dissociation. Dissociation is the feeling of being “spaced out” or dreaming. In some cases, the feeling of dissociation may be unpleasant, and individuals may experience distressing “out of body” experiences that are referred to as the “K-hole”. During periods of dissociation related to recreational ketamine use, affected individuals can experience falls or other traumatic injuries that may be serious or even fatal. Ketamine causes increases in heart rate and blood pressure that typically last for 1-2 hours after it’s given. Ketamine also affects the lining of the urinary bladder, and repeated use can lead to urinary urgency, painful urination, and incontinence. The medical term for this syndrome is “interstitial cystitis” or “ulcerative cystitis”, although it is often referred to as “ketamine bladder."

Is ketamine infusion safe?

When administered by a physician in a medical setting, ketamine infusions are rarely associated with serious adverse events. In one study, the most commonly reported side effect of ketamine infusions was psychological distress during treatment. Additional serious adverse events may include vomiting, seizures, high blood pressure, and bladder problems. Panic attacks, mood swings, and hallucinations are also reported to occur in individuals who receive ketamine infusions.

Is ketamine safe to use during pregnancy?

Ketamine is used as an anesthetic during cesarean section and may also help prevent postpartum depression when given during cesarean section. While these uses of ketamine are unlikely to result in fetal harm, chronic or repeated use of ketamine during pregnancy may lead to fetal brain damage. The routine use of ketamine during pregnancy is generally not recommended.

Can ketamine treat depression?

Ketamine affects the activity of NMDA, a chemical in the brain that is associated with depression. In animal studies, administration of drugs that blocked the activity of NMDA were effective in the treatment of depression, leading to the question of whether these drugs could also have beneficial effects in humans who suffer from depression. Human studies of ketamine in depressed individuals have been conducted since the year 2000. These studies suggest that ketamine (or its derivative, esketamine) may have beneficial effects when administered to people with treatment-resistant depression (depression that has persisted despite the use of at least two other antidepressant medications). Ketamine is not currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for depression, but in 2019, Spravato® (esketamine) was approved by the for use in individuals with treatment-resistant or severe depression. Because Spravato is associated with severe risks, including excessive sleepiness, behavioral changes, and drug dependence, it should only be administered in a healthcare setting by a certified physician.

Is ketamine a drug of abuse?

Because of its anesthetic and euphoric effects, ketamine is recognized as a drug of abuse in the United States and other countries. Ketamine is a common “club drug” used at raves and dance parties worldwide. As a non-narcotic, legal prescription drug, ketamine is often less expensive and easier to obtain than other “club drugs” such as ecstasy or methamphetamine. In some countries, ketamine is taken at raves in in combination with ecstasy and cannabis. This combination of drugs is sometimes described as a “trinity”.

How addictive is ketamine?

Due to its anesthetic properties and ability to cause euphoria, ketamine is associated with dependence and addiction. Ketamine acts on chemicals in the brain, including dopamine, which are involved in the development of addiction. In animal studies, a single dose of ketamine affected dopamine levels in the brain, suggesting that even short-term use of ketamine may increase the risk of drug dependence. Ketamine abuse and misuse are also associated with withdrawal symptoms. People who abruptly discontinue ketamine often report experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite, drowsiness, anxiety, mood swings, sweating, and palpitations.

What should I do if I get sick after using ketamine?

If you develop unexplained or unexpected symptoms after using ketamine, get help immediately. Use the webPOISONCONTROL^® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.