Ketamine
Ketamin Enthält Benzethoniumchlorid G.L., Ketamin G.L. · ATC code N01AX03
Also known as: Ketamin, Ketamina, Kétamine, Ketalar
- Key facts
- Active substance
- Ketamine
- ATC code
- N01AX03
- Authorisation
- authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
- Information as of
- 2026-11-06
Key facts
Ketamine is an NMDA-receptor-blocking dissociative anaesthetic. Per the US label (Ketalar) it is used as a sole anaesthetic, for induction of anaesthesia and as a supplement to other anaesthetics.
What it is used for
- Sole anaesthetic for diagnostic and surgical procedures not requiring skeletal muscle relaxation
- Induction of anaesthesia before other general anaesthetics
- Supplement to other anaesthetic agents
Dosing
- Only by clinicians experienced in general anaesthesia and airway management; continuous vital-sign monitoring; give an antisialagogue before induction
- Intravenous induction: 1 mg/kg to 4.5 mg/kg, average 2 mg/kg, given slowly over 60 seconds; the 100 mg/mL concentration must be diluted first
- Intramuscular induction: 6.5 to 13 mg/kg; 9 to 13 mg/kg usually gives surgical anaesthesia within 3 to 4 minutes, lasting 12 to 25 minutes
- Maintenance: one-half to the full induction dose as needed, or microdrip infusion of 0.1 to 0.5 mg/minute in adults; an intravenous benzodiazepine reduces emergence reactions
Contraindications
- Patients in whom a significant rise in blood pressure would be a serious hazard
- Hypersensitivity to ketamine or any excipient
Important warnings
- Haemodynamic instability: rises (and sometimes falls) in blood pressure and heart rate, arrhythmias
- Emergence reactions (about 12%): dream-like states, hallucinations, delirium
- Respiratory depression with overdose or rapid injection; pharyngeal and laryngeal reflexes are not suppressed
- Recurrent or long-term use: cholestatic liver injury, sclerosing cholangitis, cystitis, ureteral stenosis, hydronephrosis
- Raised intracranial pressure; possible neurotoxicity in young children with exposure longer than 3 hours
Side effects
- Raised blood pressure and heart rate; arrhythmias
- Emergence delirium, hallucinations; psychiatric events persisting days to weeks
- Diplopia, nystagmus, raised intraocular pressure
- Nausea, vomiting; increased muscle tone; laryngospasm
- Respiratory depression and apnoea after rapid high intravenous doses
Interactions
- Theophylline or aminophylline: lower seizure threshold; consider an alternative
- Sympathomimetics and vasopressin: enhanced sympathomimetic effects
- Benzodiazepines, opioids, other CNS depressants and alcohol: profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, death; opioids prolong recovery
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Human data mostly from caesarean section, without an identified risk; data for other stages are lacking
- Animal data: neuronal apoptosis in the developing brain with anaesthetic exposure longer than 3 hours
Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-11-14. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.
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For patients
Patient information (US)
This product has no separate US patient information.
Authorisation and brand names by country
Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.
Germany
- KetaminInresa Arzneimittel Gmbh, Panpharma Gmbh, Hameln Pharma Gmbh · 5 register entries
- Ketaminhydrochlorid InresaInresa Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-11-06
Austria
- Ketamin Enthält Benzethoniumchlorid G.L.G.L. Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Ketamin G.L.G.L. Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-11-06
Turkey
- KetalarPFİZER PFE İLAÇLARI A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- KetaxVEM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-11-06
Brand names in 18 more European countries
- Belgium
- Ketalar
- Bulgaria
- Калипсол
- Czechia
- Calypsol
- Denmark
- Ketamin Abcur
- Finland
- Ketamin Abcur
- France
- Ketamine G.L. Pharma, Ketamine Panpharma, Ketamine Renaudin
- Hungary
- Calypsol
- Ireland
- Ketalar
- Italy
- Ketamina Molteni
- Luxembourg
- Ketalar
- Malta
- Ketamine Hydrochloride Inresa
- Norway
- Ketalar, Ketamin Abcur
- Poland
- Ketalar
- Portugal
- Cetamina G.L. Pharma, Cetamina Hikma
- Romania
- Calypsol
- Slovakia
- Calypsol
- Spain
- Ketolar
- Sweden
- Ketalar, Ketamin Abcur
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-11-06
Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.
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Another question about this substance?
Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ketalar (Par Health USA, LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2026-03-27. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-11-06. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=14e8f864-8b8a-4e7e-8439-e510d3107063
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-11-06. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-11-06. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-11-06. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-11-06 · How these pages are made · Report an error
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.