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Ketamine hydrochloride injection is a prescription general anesthetic and Schedule III controlled substance. Current U.S. injectable labeling includes use as a sole anesthetic for selected procedures, induction before other general anesthetics, and supplementation of other anesthetic agents. Injectable ketamine is distinct from esketamine nasal spray.
read more about ketamine ...Ketamine is a nonselective, noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Its central nervous system activity produces dissociative anesthesia, analgesia, and altered perception.
Ketamine injection is administered by or under the direction of clinicians experienced in general anesthesia and airway management. Current ketamine injection labeling covers anesthesia rather than treatment of depression. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and oxygenation are monitored continuously during administration.
For anesthesia induction, current labeling uses 1 mg per kg to 4.5 mg per kg intravenously, administered slowly, or 6.5 mg per kg to 13 mg per kg intramuscularly. The dose is individualized to the procedure and clinical response. A 100 mg per mL concentration requires dilution before intravenous use.
Serious concerns include hemodynamic instability, emergence reactions, respiratory depression, drug-induced liver injury, increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, abuse, dependence, and urinary tract injury associated with long-term use or abuse. Combining ketamine with opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, or death.
Current U.S. injection labeling covers general anesthesia in specified settings.
No. Current ketamine injection labeling is for anesthesia. Esketamine nasal spray is a separate medicine with different indications and requirements.
The labeled intravenous induction range is 1 mg per kg to 4.5 mg per kg administered slowly.
Yes. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance.
Ketamine Dosing Across Clinical Indications: A Narrative Review Organized by Proposed NMDA-Related Mechanisms. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42324786/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection Prescribing Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=76d6aad3-0515-49da-a6e1-3fe2a1938a24. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Ketamine Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a626003.html. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Ketamine Pharmacology: An Update (Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Aspects, Recent Findings). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23575437/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Ketamine: A Review of Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Anesthesia and Pain Therapy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27028535/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.