Ketamine, or ketamine hydrochloride, is a non-barbiturate, rapidacting dissociative anesthetic used on both animals and humans; it also has been used in human medicine for pediatric burn cases and dentistry, and in experimental psychotherapy. It is being abused by an increasing number of young people as a "club drug," and is often distributed at "raves" and parties.
Abstract
Ketamine, or ketamine hydrochloride, is a non-barbiturate, rapidacting dissociative anesthetic used on both animals and humans; it also has been used in human medicine for pediatric burn cases and dentistry, and in experimental psychotherapy. It is being abused by an increasing number of young people as a "club drug," and is often distributed at "raves" and parties.
[1]
Street Names
K, Ket, Special K, Slang for
experiences related to ketamine or effects of ketamine are known as K-Hole Ketanest,
Ketaset,
Ketalar
[1]
History
Ketamine, developed in 1962, was initially promoted as a fast acting general anesthetic. A few years later, in 1970, the federal government approved ketamine for human use, and as a result it soon became popular as a battlefield anesthetic. The first evidence of illicit abuse of the drug was on the West Coast. Later, during the late 1970s and early 1980s abuse began to increase across the country, especially among certain sub-cultures. Starting in the mid-1980s another increase in the social-recreational use of ketamine was beginning to be linked to various dance cultures,10 initially as an adulterant - an added ingredient that can alter the effects of the drug - of MDMA (ecstasy).11 In fact there are reports that party/club goers in the United Kingdom first used ketamine when they ingested a pill they thought to be ecstasy. Today, there are still valid medicinal uses of ketamine for anesthetic reasons, though use is uncommon and tightly restricted. Illicit use today is also of great concern to many.
[2]
Pharmacology
The chemical formula for Ketamine is: C13H16ClNO
Ketamine is a derivative of phencyclidine. The exact mechanism by which ketamine exerts its effects is unknown. Ketamine occupies some mu opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord', which may partially explain its analgesic effects. Ketamine also binds to the NMDA receptor, which is believed to mediate the general anesthetic actions of ketamine. Other receptors that ketamine interacts with include monoaminergic receptors, muscarinic recepptors, and calcium ion channels. The anesthesia derived from the administration of ketamine has thus been termed a dissociative anesthesia. There have not been any drugs isolated that are able to antagonize the effects of ketamine.
After an induction dose of ketamine the patient may appear to be in a cataleptic state. Induction doses provide intense analgesia and amnesia in patients despite the patient appearing as if he or she may be awake.
Ketamine undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism to norketamine for its elimination. Norketamine has between 20% and 30% the potency of ketamine and may contribute to some of the delayed effects of ketamine when administered as a continuous infusion.
For the induction of anesthesia, the intravenous dose of ketamine is 1 to 2 mg/ kg. Return of consciousness after an intravenous induction dose of ketaamine usually requires 10 to 20 minutes, whereas full orientation may take 60 to 90 minutes. Ketamine may also be administered orally or rectally.
[3]
Uses
Ketamine can be used for:
Pediatric anesthesia
Asthmatics or patients with chronic obstructive airway disease;
In emergency medicine if entrapped patient is suffering severe trauma;
To supplement spinal / epidural anesthesia / analgesia utilizing low doses;
To improve bipolar depression
[7]
Scheduling
In the US, it is a Schedule III drug. There are no physical addiction liablities of Ketamine. However the psychological addiction liabilities include irritability, insomnia, and depression. In other cases, the psychological addiction can be worse and turn into a binge behaviour, where the user keeps on taking the drug to keep the feeling longer.
[5]
Withdrawal Effects
Withdrawal symptoms from Ketamine are not clearly established.
But experiences show that Flashbacks are possible,
Aggressive Behavior
Confusion
Derealization
Death
[4]
Long term effects
Long term Ketamine use can cause damage to memory and eyesight, as well as reducing attention
span. It has also been reported that Ketamine users can experience flashbacks in which they experience the effects of the drug without warning. The biggest consequence of Ketamine addiction is the effect it can have on an individual’s personal relationships. Drug addiction is notorious for tearing families apart.
[6]
Physical effects
Physical effects may include:
delirium
dizziness
diplopia
blurred vision
nystagmus
altered hearing
hypertension
tachycardia
hypersalivation
nausea and vomiting
erythema
[6]
Psychological treatment options
There are no formally recognized treatments for Ketamine addiction. However psychotnerapy may be useful in some cases.
[5]
Medical Treatment
There are no medical treatment options for Ketamine addiction. Ketamine addiction treatment can be extremely effective, and as the drug is potentially lethal, treating the addiction by contacting a drug abuse center is imperative. Ketamine addiction requires the right combination of detoxification and therapy, and a trained medical professional can help you or loved one to start on the road to recovery.
Related drugs
Related drugs include:
PCP,
tiletamine,
dextromethorphan
nitrous oxide.
[1]
Related Synthetics
Ecstasy,
methcathinone,
bath salts,
LSD
[2]
References
[1] http://www.regionsix.com/ResourceLibrary/Club%20Drugs%20and%20Hallucinogens/Ketamine.pdf
[2] http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/ketamine.asp
[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2148883/pdf/anesthprog00225-0014.pdf
[4] http://www.ketamine-effects.com/ketamine-withdrawal.htm
[5] http://www.withdrawal.org/ketamine-withdrawal-symptoms/
[6] http://www.drugsdb.com/rx/ketamine/ketamine-addiction/
[7] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=22297150
[8] http://www.rsds.org/3/treatment/ketamine.html
