Ketamine Injection

Ketamine injection is used to provide anesthesia (you are unconscious and unaware of what is happening) during surgery. Ketamine injection is in a class of medications called anesthetic agents. It works by changing the activity in the brain.

Ketamine injection comes as a solution (liquid) to give intravenously (into a vein) or intramuscularly (into a muscle) by a specially trained healthcare provider. It is usually given as frequently and in amounts required to maintain anesthesia depending on your age, health, and other factors. Your dose will be adjusted based on your response. You will be monitored carefully by your healthcare provider while you are receiving ketamine and for a period of time afterward.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Ketamine is also sometimes used to treat pain and depression that has been resistant to other medications. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

Before receiving ketamine injection,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take when receiving ketamine injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease. Your doctor may not give you ketamine.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding.
• you should know that ketamine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after receiving this medication.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Ketamine injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• pain at the site of injection
• nausea, vomiting

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms tell your doctor immediately:

• itching, rash, hives; difficulty breathing or swallowing; dizziness; swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or eyes
• confusion, excitement, hallucinations (seeing things that do not exist) or agitation
• sudden, twitching, jerking, or spasm of muscles that you cannot control
• irregular heartbeat
• difficulty breathing

Ketamine may cause negative effects on developing brains of children younger than 3 years of age. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication.

Ketamine injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to ketamine injection.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

• Ketalar ^®