Ketamine is a rapid-acting anesthetic used to induce dissociative anesthesia. Repeated use of ketamine can result in dependence with the risk of withdrawal when intake is stopped. This may have implications for its use in psychiatry.
Actions:
(1) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist
(2) agonist of mu and sigma opiate receptors
Patient selection: chronic use of ketamine
Signs of withdrawal may include:
(1) depression
(2) anxiety
(3) sleep disorder
(4) cravings
Differential diagnosis:
(1) withdrawal from other substances
(2) pre-existing depression or anxiety
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Specialty: Toxicology
