Ketamine: An Update on Its Abuse

• NCJ Number: 246228
• Journal: Journal of Pharmacy Practice Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2014
• Author(s): Gyula Bokor, M.D.; Peter D. Anderson, PharnD, BCPP
• Date Published: April 2014
• Length: 0 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Published online before print the number of pages unavailable as of May 9, 2014.

Annotation

This article discusses the effects of the drug Ketamine.

Abstract

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic and substance of abuse. Numerous effects can result from the abuse of ketamine. Death from acute direct toxicity is rare. Ketamine can alter numerous functions in the brain including color perception, memory, attention, cognition, reaction time, and sense of time and can produce psychological addiction. Chronic ketamine abuse can produce toxicity to the gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Gastrointestinal changes include epigastric pain, hepatic dysfunction, and impaired gallbladder activity. The most common urological condition from ketamine is cystitis but renal failure has been reported. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.