What Is Ketamine Used for in Medicine?
Ketamine is a short-acting general anesthetic that’s been around since the 1970s. It was first used in the United States for sedation and pain management during the Vietnam War. It continues to have many medical uses today. The drug is also popular for recreational use because of its dissociative effects. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), recreational forms of ketamine are commonly known as Special K, KitKat, Vitamin K, and other slang terms. In the past few years, ketamine has generated much on its benefits in treating certain mental health conditions. But there is still much more to learn about how ketamine works, how it could be dosed, and what long-term effects it may have on the body. In this article, we’ll discuss ketamine’s medical uses, side effects, and more.
What is ketamine used for medically? According to and , ketamine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a short-term injectable anesthetic in humans and animals for sedation. It works rapidly (within 10 to 30 seconds) when given intravenously for anesthesia. You can receive it alone or with other medications. It’s also used off label for several other conditions. According to , one of its uses is as pain management for: Off-label use means that your physician is using the drug for a purpose other than its approved use in anesthesia. However, more data is needed to understand the drug’s safety and effectiveness for some types of pain management, especially for long-term chronic pain. A 2018 review has shown ketamine may also be effective for treating substance use disorders, such as alcohol, cocaine, or opioid use disorder. But its benefits, dosages, and safety for long-term use need further research.
A lot of new research is currently being done on the various effects of ketamine. This includes benefits for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. If you have certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart-related problems, or certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, ketamine may not be safe for you. Your doctor can tell you about the latest research and medical uses for ketamine, including the pros and cons of the drug. Keep in mind that ketamine has serious side effects which can be dangerous. Don’t use ketamine on your own without medical supervision. Using ketamine without a prescription is illegal, and street ketamine may be mixed with other substances that can increase your risk of a serious reaction. Ask your doctor for more information about ketamine and its uses.
