Definition of ketamine Ketamine

We found 4 definitions of ketamine from 4 different sources.

What does ketamine mean?

Noun Plural: ketamines
ketamine - a general anesthetic and tranquilizer (not a barbiturate) that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly; used mainly by veterinarians or for minor surgery with geriatric or pediatric patients; taken in large doses it causes hallucinations similar to those associated with the use of PCP
		ketamine hydrochloride, Ketalar
		general anaesthetic, general anesthetic an anesthetic that anesthetizes the entire body and causes loss of consciousness
		club drug a controlled substance that is usually taken by young people at dance clubs and raves

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

Ketamine is an anesthetic. It causes a so called dissociative analgesia, which means that it has a high analgesic effect but a minor hypnotic, so treated people can be nearly awake but without feeling pain. Sometimes it can lead to hallucinations. That is why some people use it as a recreational drug. As it can have severe side effects, it is usually not available as an over-the-counter drug. For many years Ketamine had been available just as an racemic mixture (S and R-Ketamine in equal molarities). The new Enantiomer Esketamin has much fewer of these side effects.

A prescription is needed to get it (too).