Overview of disorders of ketamine use

Manning, 2018

Ketamine (also known as ‘K’, ‘super K’, ‘vitamin K’, ‘special K’) is an anaesthetic used in human and veterinary medicine. Nonmedical use also occurs by a variety of routes because ketamine has dissociative and hallucinogenic intoxicating properties. Nonmedical use is use that does not align with the directed use; examples include use to become intoxicated or to treat a symptom other than the clinician directedAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)McNeely, 2014.

The spectrum of substance use in these guidelines is described by the terms ‘hazardous use’ and ‘harmful use,’ outlined in Terminology describing the spectrum of substance use.

Intoxicating effects of ketamine include relaxation, changed perceptions of time and space, dissociation, visual and auditory hallucinations, drowsiness, slurred speech, blurred vision and confusion. Higher doses can produce severe dissociation (the ‘k-hole’), more intense sensory misperceptions and hallucinations and sedation.

Ketamine overdose typically lasts for 1 to 2 hours and is characterised by hallucinations, delirium, cardiovascular and respiratory stimulation, and hyperthermia. Respiratory depression can occur, particularly with intravenous administration, but is uncommon. Treatment of overdose is supportive; for advice on management, see Resuscitation for poisonings.