Ketamine (KEE-ta-meen)

Causes you to become unconscious before having surgery or a medical or dental procedure. May be used on its own or with another medicine. This medicine is a type of anesthetic.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles. It can also be given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any kind of narcotic pain medicine such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin®, Percocet®, Tylenol® 3, or Vicodin®. Tell your doctor if you use a barbiturate such as phenobarbital.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you drink alcohol on a daily or regular basis.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have blood circulation problems or untreated high blood pressure.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or confused for several hours. If you have had outpatient surgery, you will need someone to drive you home.
• This medicine may make you have unusual thoughts or behaviors after the surgery. You might feel confused or excited, or you might see or hear things that are not really there. You might feel as if you are dreaming while you are awake. Call your doctor if these thoughts or behaviors are severe or last longer than 24 hours.
• Wait at least 24 hours after you receive this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Redness, pain, or blistering where the shot was given.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Cough.
• Eye twitching, or double vision.
• Muscle stiffness.
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
• Skin redness or mild rash.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088