Ketamine is used as a general anesthetic for surgery, either by itself for procedures that do not need muscle relaxation, or with other anesthetic drugs. It can also be used to start anesthesia before other drugs are given, and it can be added to other anesthetics as a supplement. Ketamine is also used for short procedures and for pain control after surgery.

It is usually given by a doctor who is trained in anesthesia, with close monitoring of vital signs and airway support ready. The drug can be given through a vein or into a muscle. For induction, the usual IV dose is given slowly over 60 seconds, and the IM route is another option. For maintenance, smaller repeat doses may be used as needed. Ketamine can help keep heart rate and blood pressure up, which can be useful in some patients, and it also has bronchodilating, or airway-opening, effects.

Ketamine is not recommended if you have not followed nil per os rules, which means fasting before anesthesia. It can increase saliva and can cause vomiting or aspiration, which is when stomach contents enter the lungs. An antisialagogue, a medicine that dries secretions, is often given before induction. Verify the exact plan with your surgical or anesthesia team in case they want something different for you.