Drug Cards

Ketamine

Ketalar
Class:
Sedative, Analgesic dissociative anesthetic
Mechanism of Action:
Blocks pain receptors adn minimizes spinal cord activity, affecting the association pathways of the brain between the thalamus and the limbic system.
Indications:
  • Excited delirium.
  • Pain management.
  • Procedural sedation.
  • Seizure (off-label medical control).
Contraindications:
  • Hypersensitivity.
  • Conditions where hypertension could be dangerous to the patient's care.
Adverse reactions:
Hypertension, dysrhythmia, bronchodilation, respiratory depression.
Drug Interactions
Ketamine increases the effects of opiates, barbituates and non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers.
Adult Dosage and Administration
  • Excited Delirium: 4mg/kg IM only.
  • Pain: 0.3-0.5 mg/kg IV, may repeat IV dose once in 10 minutes or 1 mg/kg IM/IN, may repeat IM/IN dose once in 20 minutes.
  • RSI: 2mg/kg IV
  • Analgesia and sedation for intubated patients: 1-2 mg/kg IV every 30-40min (Not allowed in all systems - know your local protocols)
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Pediatric Dosage and Administration:
Not recommended.
Duration of action
  • Onset: 10 minutes
  • Peak Effect: 1-2 hours
  • Duration: 2-6 hours
Special Considerations:
  • Pregnancy Safety: Category C.
    Contraindicated for use during pregnancy.
  • Use in caution in older patients due to a higher risk of renal and fatal GI adverse reactions.