Applies to ketamine: injection solution.
Serious side effects of Ketamine
Along with its needed effects, ketamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ketamine:
Incidence not known
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- bluish lips or skin
- blurred or change in vision
- burning while urinating
- chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
- confusion
- confusion as to time, place, or person
- cough
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- frequent urge to urinate
- hives, itching, skin rash
- holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- loss of vision
- not breathing
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seizures
- sweating
- trouble breathing
- unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects of Ketamine
Some side effects of ketamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Double vision
- dream-like state
- flushing or redness of the skin
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- pain at the injection site
- seeing double
- uncontrolled eye movements
- unusually warm skin
- vomiting
- weight loss
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to ketamine: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution.
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Blood pressure increased, heart rate increased, increased pulse rate
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension
Frequency not reported: Arrhythmia[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory rate increased
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory depression, laryngospasm
Rare (less than 0.1%): Obstructive airway disorder, apnea[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Nystagmus, diplopia
Frequency not reported: Intraocular pressure increased[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, anorexia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Salivary hypersecretion[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertonia, tonic clonic movements[Ref]
Local
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site pain, injection site rash[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Erythema, morbilliform rash[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Hallucination, abnormal dreams, nightmare, confusion, agitation, abnormal behavior
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety
Rare (less than 0.1%): Delirium, flashback, dysphoria, insomnia, disorientation
Frequency not reported: Psychotic episodes[Ref]
Genitourinary
Rare (less than 0.1%): Cystitis, hemorrhagic cystitis[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Liver function test abnormal[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Anaphylactic reaction[Ref]