Analgesia · NMDA antagonist
Ketamine
Dose
RSI 1–2 mg/kg IV; sedation 0.5–1 mg/kg; analgesia 0.1–0.3 mg/kg over 10 min then 0.1–0.3 mg/kg/h
Mechanism
Dissociative anaesthesia; bronchodilation, sympathomimetic
Indications
- • RSI in shock / asthma
- • Procedural sedation
- • Analgesia (sub-dissociative)
- • Treatment-resistant depression (specialist)
Contraindications
- • Severe uncontrolled hypertension
- • Severe coronary disease (relative)
Use
Maintains airway reflexes and BP — ideal for shocked patients.
Monitoring
BP, HR, sedation depth, emergence phenomena.
Side effects
- • Emergence delirium (mitigate with midazolam)
- • Hypertension, tachycardia
- • Hypersalivation
- • Laryngospasm (rare)
Related in WardRound
Always confirm dose against your local formulary / BNF before prescribing.
