ketamine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Dissociative general anaesthetic and NMDA-receptor antagonist
Licensed role
Anaesthesia for diagnostic and surgical procedures, including induction or supplementation of general anaesthesia
Administration
Given into a vein or muscle, or by intravenous infusion, by trained healthcare professionals
Driving
Do not drive until fully recovered and cleared by the anaesthetic team. Current DVLA guidance says driving must stop for 48 hours after an anaesthetic agent.
Controlled drug
Class B, Schedule 2 controlled drug
What is ketamine hydrochloride used for?
The selected products are licensed for anaesthesia in adults and children. Some specialist uses are off-label.
Anaesthesia for diagnostic and surgical procedures.
Induction of anaesthesia before another general anaesthetic.
Supplementation of other anaesthetic agents.
Specialist treatment of difficult neuropathic or palliative-care pain is off-label for these products.
Treatment of depression is off-label and may be offered by some specialist services after assessment.
How does ketamine hydrochloride work?
Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors and disrupts brain communication involved in awareness, memory and pain processing. This produces dissociative anaesthesia, with detachment from surroundings, immobility, amnesia and strong pain relief. It commonly increases heart rate and blood pressure.
ketamine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 10 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL
How to take ketamine hydrochloride
Ketamine injection is administered only by appropriately trained healthcare professionals where monitoring, airway support and resuscitation equipment are available.
It may be injected into a vein or muscle; an appropriate product may also be given by intravenous infusion.
Follow the clinical team’s instructions about eating, drinking and regular medicines before the procedure.
After outpatient anaesthesia, remain under observation until sufficiently recovered and leave with a responsible adult.
Do not self-administer or alter a specialist treatment plan.
ketamine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Increased blood pressure or heart rate
- Nausea or vomiting
- Hallucinations, vivid dreams or nightmares
- Confusion, agitation or unusual behaviour during recovery
- Double vision or involuntary eye movements
- Increased muscle tone or involuntary movements
- Skin redness or rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Breathing suppression, temporary cessation of breathing or throat spasm
- Severe allergic reaction
- Significant abnormal heart rhythm, very low blood pressure or reduced cardiac output
- Severe delirium or disorientation
- Painful urination or blood in the urine, particularly after repeated or prolonged exposure
- Signs of liver injury, particularly after repeated or prolonged exposure
ketamine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Ketamine crosses the placenta, and controlled pregnancy evidence is limited. The selected product information does not generally recommend it during pregnancy, except when an anaesthetic specialist considers it appropriate during caesarean section or vaginal delivery. Discuss pregnancy, possible pregnancy and previous pre-eclampsia or eclampsia with the anaesthetic team.
ketamine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
The selected product information says safe use during breastfeeding has not been established and does not recommend it. However, a 2026 UK anaesthesia guideline reports low transfer into milk after anaesthetic use and says breastfeeding can generally resume when the mother is awake and well enough. The anaesthetic team should assess repeated exposure and whether the baby is premature or unwell.
ketamine hydrochloride interactions
Tell the anaesthetic team about all prescribed, non-prescribed and recreational substances because interactions may affect breathing, circulation or recovery.
Alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants
May increase sedation and breathing suppression or delay recovery.
Barbiturates or diazepam
May prolong effects and recovery. They must not be mixed with ketamine in the same syringe or infusion fluid because precipitation can occur.
Common questions about ketamine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ketamine hydrochloride the same as ketamine?
Ketamine hydrochloride is the salt used in these injections. Product strength is expressed as the equivalent amount of ketamine base.
Does ketamine hydrochloride stop breathing?
Protective airway reflexes and spontaneous breathing may be retained, but breathing suppression, apnoea and throat spasm can occur. Continuous observation and airway equipment are required.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.