Ketamine Side Effects

Brand Names: Ketalar

Please note - some side effects for Ketamine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Ketamine - for the Consumer

Ketamine

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ketamine:

Blurred vision; confusion; drowsiness; increased or decreased blood pressure or heart rate; mental or mood changes; nausea; nightmares; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty talking; irregular heart rhythms; muscle tightness; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; slowed breathing.

Ketamine Side Effects - for the Professional

Ketamine

Cardiovascular

Blood pressure and pulse rate are frequently elevated following administration of Ketamine alone. However, hypotension and bradycardia have been observed. Arrhythmia has also occurred.

Respiration

Although respiration is frequently stimulated, severe depression of respiration or apnea may occur following rapid intravenous administration of high doses of Ketamine. Laryngospasms and other forms of airway obstruction have occurred during Ketamine anesthesia.

Eye

Diplopia and nystagmus have been noted following Ketamine administration. It also may cause a slight elevation in intraocular pressure measurement.

Psychological:

Neurological

In some patients, enhanced skeletal muscle tone may be manifested by tonic and clonic movements sometimes resembling seizures.

Gastrointestinal

Anorexia, nausea and vomiting have been observed; however, this is not usually severe and allows the great majority of patients to take liquids by mouth shortly after regaining consciousness.

General: Anaphylaxis

Local pain and exanthema at the injection site have infrequently been reported. Transient erythema and/or morbilliform rash have also been reported.

Ketamine Injection

Cardiovascular

Blood pressure and pulse rate are frequently elevated following administration of Ketamine alone. However hypotension and bradycardia have been observed. Arrhythmia has also occurred.

Respiration

Although respiration is frequently stimulated, severe depression of respiration or apnea may occur following rapid intravenous administration of high doses of Ketamine. Laryngospasms and other forms of airway obstruction have occurred during Ketamine anesthesia.

Eye

Diplopia and nystagmus have been noted following Ketamine administration. It also may cause a slight elevation in intraocular pressure measurement.

Psychological

Neurological

In some patients, enhanced skeletal muscle tone may be manifested by tonic and clonic movements sometimes resembling seizures.

Gastrointestinal

Anorexia, nausea and vomiting have been observed; however, this is not usually severe and allows the great majority of patients to take liquids by mouth shortly after regaining consciousness.

General

Anaphylaxis. Local pain and exanthema at the injection site have infrequently been reported. Transient erythema and/or morbilliform rash have also been reported.

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