Ketamine - Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

Ketamine has been approved for both human and animal use as an injectable anesthetic in medical settings since 1970. About 90 percent of the ketamine sold legally in the United States is intended for veterinary use. Its use in humans is usually limited to children and elderly patients. Individuals in both of these age groups seem to tolerate ketamine better than other general anesthetics. However, tranquilizers must be administered in combination with ketamine to keep these patients from experiencing hallucinations. (An entry on tranquilizers is included in this encyclopedia.)