Ketamine overdose

Physical effects of high doses of ketamine include decreased respiration and heart rate, increased blood pressure, and the possibility of vomiting and convulsions. These can lead to cardiac and respiratory arrest, coma, and death. The risk of ketamine overdose is much greater when it is mixed with other drugs such as alcohol, Ecstasy, caffeine, or cocaine. Overdoses of ketamine have been reported when people boost the drug (take another dose before the first dose wears off) to prolong its psychedelic effects. 

The report says that the most vulnerable group of users to ketamine overdose are those who take it under the illusion they are taking MDMA or some other stimulant drug. Someone expecting to take MDMA, cocaine, or amphetamine, for instance, may find themselves on a roadway behind the wheel of a car being affected instead by sudden physical incapacity. 

Adverse effects noted with the anesthetic use of ketamine include the sudden loss of respiratory function, spasms of the trachea or larynx, and vomiting. Literature on the emergency treatment of ketamine overdose is rare. Clinical recommendations advise making sure the airway is clear, that breathing is continually monitored, and that the heart rate remains steady. 

Species Barbiturate Overdose Route Chloralhydrate Overdose Route Ketamine Overdose Route... 

In overdose, ketamine may lead to hyperthermia, seizures, hypertensive crisis, coma, and even death. These symptoms are generally thought to be caused by ketamine s catecholaminergic effects (Reich and Silvay 1989). Ketamine is physically addicting, with a described withdrawal syndrome. 

Ketamine is often taken with other drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and Ecstasy, which greatly increases the risk for overdose. Ketamine tends to be taken by people with a history of experimenting with numerous other drugs. Ketamine is also occasionally taken by physicians and veterinarians, who have easy access to the drug and want to experiment with its psychedelic effects. 

Taking ketamine by injection is dangerous. The risks of accidental death or permanent injury from overdose by injection are greater than with any other method. 

Injecting ketamine intramuscularly carries with it risks common to cocaine and heroin addicts and other injection-drug users. Sharing needles can lead to the transmission of blood-borne viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, as well as increased risk of escalation of drug use and overdose. 

Like other club drugs—including ecstasy (MDMA), ketamine, GHB (gamma-hydroxy butyrate), methamphetamine, and LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide)—Rohypnol is easily accessible and relatively inexpensive. Often, users who intentionally take the drugs to get high at rave parties or elsewhere may not even know what they have taken or been given, which can make it difficult for medical professionals to treat them if they overdose or have a reaction. 

At chosen intervals after bacterial inoculation, mice are euthanized by an overdose of ketamine (see Note 8). 

People trying low dosages report feeling disconnected from normal, everyday realities. Blood pressure and pulse are often elevated hypotension and bradycardia have been observed. "Ketamine has a wide margin of safety, observes Parke-Davis brochure "several instances of unintentional administration of overdoses of Ketalar (up to ten times that usually required) have been followed by prolonged but complete recovery. ... 

Death due to the use or misuse of ketamine is rare. Only severe overdoses present substantial risk, and such incidents are usually treated in the intensive-care unit. The most dangerous effects of ketamine are behavioral. Individuals may become withdrawn, paranoid, and very uncoordinated. Physicians can only treat overdoses of this type symptomatically, by offering calm reassurance and an environment with little stimulation. 

Physicians can also treat overdose symptoms with benzodiazepines to control the anxiety associated with ketamine. 

Known as special K, jet, green, and other names on the street, ketamine is sometimes injected, but can be evaporated to solid crystals, powdered, and smoked, snorted, or swallowed. Marijuana cigarettes are sometimes soaked in the ketamine solution, allowed to dry, and then smoked. Ketamine has become popular as a rave club drug. Side effects include signiflcant transient increases in blood pressure and heart rate, respiratory depression, airway obstruction, apnea, muscular hypertonia, psychomotor and psychotomimetic effects, and acute dystonic reactions. Following overdose, seizures, polyneuropathy, increased intracranial pressure, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest may occur. 

B. Pharmacokinetics. PCP is rapidly absorbed by inhalation or ingestion. The volume of distribution (Vd) is about 6 L/kg. The duration of clinical effects after an overdose is highly variable and ranges from 11-14 hours in one report to 1-4 days in another. PCP is eliminated mainly by hepatic metabolism, although renal and gastric excretion account for a small fraction and are pH dependent. (See also Table 11-59.) Ketamine is well absorbed after snorting, in-... 

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