Dissociative Anesthetics

Question 1

What does this category of drug do?

Answer 1

Drugs that inhibit pain by cutting off or dissociating the brain’s perception of pain

Question 2

What is the long form of PCP

Answer 2

Phenyl cyclohexyl Piperidine

Question 3

Which other categories does PCP mimic and how?

Answer 3

• CNS depressants (slurred speech, nystagmus, slowed responses)
• CNS Stimulants (elevated vitals and restlessness)
• hallucinogens (often referred to as psychedelic anesthetics

Question 4

What is Ketamine?

Answer 4

Analog of PCP, rapid surgical anesthetic

Question 5

Types of dissociative anesthetics

Answer 5

• PCP
• ketamine, methoxetamine
• dextromethorphan (DXM)
• sernyl (Sernylan)

Question 6

Analog of Ketamine

Answer 6

Methoxetamine (MXE)
- pain suppression, tachycardia, hypertension, altered perception and memory

Question 7

What is Dextromethorphan

Answer 7

Chemically related to codeine but not an opiate, found in OTC cough and cold meds

Question 8

First plateau of DXM

Answer 8

100-200mg
Similar to ecstasy
Uplifting and energetic

Question 9

2nd plateau of DXM

Answer 9

200-400mg
Similar to high dose of alcohol
Poor coordination, euphoria and hallucinations

Question 10

3rd plateau of DXM

Answer 10

400-600mg
Similar to ketamine
Strong dissociation, intense hallucinations, loss of motor functions and almost incapacitated

Question 11

4th plateau of DXM

Answer 11

500-1500mg
Similar to PCP
Extreme effects and very long lasting (up to 2 weeks)
Out of body experience, intense hallucinations
Possibly aggressive and violent
Reduced pain perception
Blurred vision

Question 12

Methods of administration

Answer 12

PCP- most common smoked adultered cigarettes, or snorted, orally, injected, transdermal
Ketamine- smoked
DXM- orally, injected, snorted

Question 13

Overdose signs and symptoms

Answer 13

Coma
Psychosis
Seizures

Question 14

General indicators (12)

Answer 14

• blank stare
• disoriented
• hallucinations
• incomplete verbal responses
• increased pain threshold
• non- communicative
• perspiring
• violent
• sensory distortions
• slow, slurred speech
• chemical odour (PCP)
• cyclic behaviour

Question 15

PCP onset and duration

Answer 15

Onset
Smoked 1-5 min
Snorted 30 min
Orally 30-60 min

Duration: 4-6 hours

Question 16

Ketamine onset and duration

Answer 16

Smoked: within seconds, last 30-45 minutes
Injected: 1-5 min, lasts 30-45 minutes
Snorted: 5-10 minutes, lasts 45-60 minutes
Oral: 15-20 minutes, lasts 1-2 hours

Question 17

DXM onset and duration

Answer 17

Onset: 30-60 min
Duration: low dose 4-6 hours, high dose 24-48 hours