Ketamine

Question 1

Ketamine Class

Answer 1

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic agent with analgesic properties.

Question 2

Ketamine Description

Answer 2

Ketamine acts as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptor noncompetitive antagonist. Combined with Morpine, Ketamine demonstrates beneficial effects in trauma patients with severe acute pain.

Question 3

Ketamine Presentation

Answer 3

White crystalline powder or clear liquid.

vial 200mg in 20ml

Question 4

Ketamine Administration

Answer 4

Intravenous (IV)

Question 5

Ketamine Indications

Answer 5

Adult and Paed:

Severe Pain

Question 6

Ketamine Contra-indications

Answer 6

Acute porphyrias (rare enzyme disorder)
Pre-eclampsia
Eclampsia
Head Trauma
Hypertension
Severe Cardiac Disease
Stroke
KSAR

Question 7

Ketamine Dose

Answer 7

Adult: 0.1mg/kg IV (rpt x1 only, at not < 10 mins)

Paed: 0.1mg/kg IV (rpt x1 only, at not < 10 mins)

Question 8

Ketamine Pharmacology

Answer 8

Induces Sedation, immobility amnesia, and marked analgesia

Question 9

Ketamine Side Effects

Answer 9

Diplopia
Hallucinations
Hypertension
Nausea and Vomiting
Tachycardia
Transient Psychotic effects

Uncommon:
Arrhythmias / Bradycardia / Hypotension / Laryngospasm / Respiratory Depression

Question 10

Ketamine Additional Info

Answer 10

Incidents of hallucinations, nightmares, and other psychotic effects can be reduced by a Benzodiazepine such as Diazepam or Midazolam.
Reduces Morphine Requirements.
Has low frequency of serious side effects in doses used for analgesia.
Allows patients to maintain their pharyngeal reflexes and maintain their own airway.
Controlled under Sec 3 Misuse of Drugs Act 1988