At anesthetic doses, ketamine induces a state of dissociative anesthesia, a trance-like state providing pain relief, sedation, and amnesia.[21] Its distinguishing features as an anesthestic are preserved breathing and airway reflexes, stimulated heart function with increased blood pressure, and moderate bronchodilation.[21] At lower, sub-anesthetic doses, it is a promising agent for treatment of pain and treatment-resistant depression.[22] As with many antidepressants, the results of a single administration wane with time.[23]
Ketamine is used as a recreational drug for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects.[24] When used recreationally, it is found both in crystalline powder and liquid form, and is often referred to by users as "Special K" or simply "K". The long-term effects of repeated use are largely unknown, and are an area of active investigation.[25][26][27] Liver and urinary toxicity have been reported among regular users of high doses of ketamine for recreational purposes.[28]
^Dayton PG, Stiller RL, Cook DR, Perel JM (1983). "The binding of ketamine to plasma proteins: emphasis on human plasma". Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 24 (6): 825–31. doi:10.1007/BF00607095. PMID6884418. S2CID807011.
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^Hijazi Y, Boulieu R (July 2002). "Contribution of CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 isoforms to N-demethylation of ketamine in human liver microsomes". Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 30 (7): 853–8. doi:10.1124/dmd.30.7.853. PMID12065445. S2CID15787750.
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^Zhang K, Hashimoto K (January 2019). "An update on ketamine and its two enantiomers as rapid-acting antidepressants". Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. 19 (1): 83–92. doi:10.1080/14737175.2019.1554434. PMID30513009. S2CID54628949.
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^Orhurhu VJ, Vashisht R, Claus LE, Cohen SP (April 2022). "Ketamine toxicity". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID31082131. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
^Peltoniemi MA, Hagelberg NM, Olkkola KT, Saari TI (September 2016). "Ketamine: A Review of Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Anesthesia and Pain Therapy". Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 55 (9): 1059–77. doi:10.1007/s40262-016-0383-6. PMID27028535. S2CID5078489.
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^World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.