Ketamine

CLINICAL USE

Anaesthetic agent, analgesic

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

All doses are expressed as the base: 1.15 mg ketamine hydrochloride ≡1 mg of baseAnaesthesia: IM Short procedures: initially 6.5–13 mg/ —kg (10 mg/kg usually gives 12–25 minutes of surgical anaesthesia)Painful diagnostic manoeuvres: initially —4 mg/kgIV Injection: Initially 1–4.5 mg/kg over at least —60 seconds (2 mg/kg usually gives 5–10 minutes of surgical anaesthesia)IV Infusion: Induction total dose of —0.5–2 mg/kg; maintenance 10–45 mcg/kg/min; adjust rate according to response if infusion requiredAnalgesia: IM: 1.5–2 mg/kg —IV Infusion: 2–3 mg/kg or infusion rate —5–10 mg/hour of a solution of 5 mg/mL

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight                           :274.2 (as hydrochloride)
  • %Protein binding                           :
  • 20 to 50     :
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine     : 2 (88% as metabolites)
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg)       :4
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)      :2–4/ Unchanged

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • 10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • <10           : Dose as in normal renal function

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD                :Unlikely dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HD                     :Not Dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
  • HDF/high flux   :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function
  • CAV/VVHD      :Not Dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugsAdrenergic-neurone blockers: enhanced hypotensive effectAntihypertensives: enhanced hypotensive effect

  • Antidepressants: stop MAOIs 2 weeks before surgery; increased risk of arrhythmias and hypotension with tricyclics
  • Antipsychotics: enhanced hypotensive effectMemantine: increased risk of CNS toxicity, avoid concomitant use

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Route

    IV bolus, IV Infusion, IM

    Rate of Administration

    Injection: over at least 60 seconds Infusion: Depends on clinical indication

    Comments

    For infusion add to glucose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9%, dilute to 1 mg/mL. In the USA can dilute to 2 mg/mL in fluid restricted patients (Dollery)Incompatible with diazepam and barbituratesUse infusion solutions within 24 hours 100 mg/mL strength must be diluted with an equal volume of water for injection, sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5% before useMinimum volume 50 mg/mL (undiluted). (UK Critical Care Group, Minimum Infusion Volumes for fluid restricted critically ill patients, 3rd Edition, 2006)

    OTHER INFORMATION

  • Contraindicated in patients with severe hypertension; 1–2 mg/kg can increase arterial systolic blood pressure by approximately 20–40 mmHgAvoid in those prone to hallucinations or psychotic disorders4–10% can be removed by haemodialysis .
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