Ketamine

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Ketalar

Pharmacological Mechanism

Non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist (open-channel blocker) + opioid + monoamine reuptake effects. Dissociative anesthetic preserving airway reflexes. Sub-anesthetic IV / intranasal (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression. Schedule III; recreational misuse signal.

Half-Life (t½)

IV: 2.5h, IN: 2.5h

Dosing Guidelines

• IV: Typical 1mg (Range: 0.5 - 2 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• respiratory