Ketalar (Ketamine Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ketalar Used For?
Ketalar is an anaesthetic medication that helps make your body insensitive to pain during surgical procedures.
Primary Uses
Ketalar is used to make the body insensitive to surgical treatment. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines to induce anaesthesia for operations and medical procedures.
How It Works
Ketalar works by stopping the brain from interpreting messages of pain, effectively blocking pain signals during medical procedures.
Good to know: When used as prescribed for anaesthesia, addiction is unlikely to occur, even though the medicine has addictive potential.
How to Take Ketalar
Ketalar is only given by trained healthcare professionals in medical settings. You cannot take this medication yourself.
Administration Method
Ketalar is given as an injection into a muscle or as a slow injection into a vein by a nurse or doctor. Your doctor will decide how much Ketalar you need based on your condition, age, weight, and other medicines being given.
Medical Supervision
This medication is only administered in hospitals or medical facilities under professional supervision. You will be closely monitored during and after treatment.
Important: Ketalar must only be given by qualified healthcare professionals – it cannot be self-administered.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Increased saliva production
- Pain at the injection site
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden signs of allergy (rash, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, breathing difficulties)
- Confusion, excitation, irrational behavior
- Hallucinations, vivid imagery, dream-like states, nightmares
- Agitation, anxiety, or insomnia
- Movements resembling seizures
- Breathing difficulties
- Elevated blood pressure, fast or slow heartbeat, heart palpitations, feeling faint
- Double vision or abnormal eye movements
- Changes in urine color, pain when urinating, frequent urination
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Ketalar should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Ketalar
Do not use Ketalar if you are allergic to ketamine or any ingredients in the medicine, have poorly controlled blood pressure, severe heart disease, heart failure, recent history of stroke, recent heart attack, brain haemorrhage, or brain trauma.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, dehydration, high blood pressure, breathing problems (including chest infections and asthma), alcohol intoxication or history of alcohol abuse, drug abuse or dependence, brain or head problems, psychiatric disorders (like schizophrenia or acute psychosis), overactive thyroid, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or seizures.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Drug Dependence Risk: This medicine is addictive. People with a history of drug abuse or dependence may develop tolerance and dependence to Ketalar.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Ketalar and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare team about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Medicines that increase blood pressure should be avoided when using Ketalar.
- General anaesthetics and hypnotics (like thiopental)
- Barbiturates (used to treat epilepsy)
- Narcotic pain relievers
- Sedatives or anxiety medications
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines (sedatives or anxiety medicines)
- Ergometrine (used after childbirth)
- Thyroxine or thyroid hormones
- Theophylline and aminophylline (for breathing problems)
- Blood pressure medications
- Muscle relaxants used in anaesthesia
- Antidiuretic hormones (like vasopressin)
- Heart or circulation medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Ketalar significantly affects your ability to drive and operate machinery, and interacts dangerously with alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after receiving Ketalar. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using any machines or tools for at least 24 hours after receiving Ketalar. The medication can affect your driving ability and poses a road safety risk. If treated as an outpatient, you should not be released until fully recovered and must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Storage
Ketalar is stored by healthcare professionals in the pharmacy or hospital ward. It should be kept in a cool, dry place protected from light where the temperature stays below 30°C. The medication is for single use only and any remaining contents are discarded after use.
Overdose Information
Since Ketalar is given in a hospital under medical supervision, overdose is unlikely. However, if you experience severe side effects, tell your doctor immediately. Symptoms may include any of the serious side effects listed. If you suspect an overdose, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ketalar works quickly as it’s given as an injection directly into your muscle or vein by a healthcare professional. The exact timing depends on your individual condition and the dose given.
Yes, Ketalar has addictive potential, especially for people with a history of drug abuse or dependence who may develop tolerance and dependence. However, addiction is unlikely when used as prescribed for anaesthesia under medical supervision.
No, you must not drink alcohol for 24 hours after receiving Ketalar. Always tell your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly.
You should not drive or use machinery for at least 24 hours after receiving Ketalar. If treated as an outpatient, you must be accompanied by a responsible adult when leaving the medical facility.
For common side effects like nausea, vomiting, or injection site pain, speak to your doctor if they worry you. For serious side effects like breathing difficulties, heart problems, hallucinations, or allergic reactions, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you must discuss this with your doctor. They will evaluate the risks and benefits for your specific situation.
You should not receive Ketalar if you’re allergic to ketamine, have poorly controlled blood pressure, severe heart disease, heart failure, recent stroke or heart attack, brain hemorrhage, or brain trauma. Many other medical conditions require careful evaluation by your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.