Ketamine (Ketalar)
How does this medicine work?
Ketamine is used for many purposes including anesthesia, sedation, pain management, and depression. It works in the brain to help regulate mood, cognition, and manage pain symptoms. Ketamine can also be administered as an infusion in a hospital or clinic to help with pain. It can reduce the need for other pain medications such as opioids and is generally well tolerated.
How should I give it?
For oral medication:
- Give it at regular times to keep a consistent amount in the body.
- It can be given with or without food.
- Draw up the correct amount in the oral syringe.
Are there any precautions about food or other medicines?
- Avoid alcohol-containing foods, beverages, or non-prescription medicines (such as cough syrup) while taking this medicine.
- There are certain medicines that interact with ketamine. Please check with the doctor, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist before giving any other prescription or non-prescription. medicines, herbs, or vitamins.
What should I do if a dose is missed?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are the side effects?
Common
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness (sedation)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dissociation (disconnection between a person’s thoughts, feelings, and sense of space, time, and self)
Occasional
- Increased blood pressure
- Lower urinary tract and bladder symptoms (feeling the need to pass urine often, pain when passing urine, or passing urine more often at night)
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow, or trouble breathing)
- Increased eye pressure
Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, lawnmowers, electric scooters, or motorized vehicles.
When should I call the doctor?
Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Experiencing symptoms of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, or passing out
- Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat
- Feeling confused or having hallucinations
- Trouble breathing, slow breathing, or shallow breathing
- Changes in eyesight
What else do I need to know?
- Ketamine is a controlled substance due to the risk of misuse. Make sure your child is taking the medication as prescribed.
- Check the label and expiration date before giving each dose. Ask your pharmacist what to do with outdated or unused medicines. If there is no "take-back" program you can throw them in the garbage after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
- Store all medicines in their original container and away from direct sunlight or heat. Do not store in humid places such as the bathroom. Keep them out of children's reach, locked up if possible.
- If too much or the wrong kind of medicine is taken, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If your child is unconscious or has a seizure, call 911.
Questions?
This is not specific to your child but provides general information. If you have any questions, please call your clinic or pharmacy.
Reviewed 9/2024 Palliative Care and Pharmacy
Back To Top
