ketamine

[ kee-tuh-meen, -min ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic nonbarbiturate general anesthetic, C 13 H 16 ClNO, used to induce anesthesia, alone or in combination, in surgical or diagnostic procedures of short duration; extensively used in veterinary medicine.

ketamine

/ ˈkɛtəmiːn /

noun

1. a drug, chemically related to PCP, that is used in medicine as a general anaesthetic, being administered by injection; cyclohexylamine

ketamine

/ kē′tə-mēn′ /

1. A general anesthetic given intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride salt, used especially for minor surgical procedures in which skeletal muscle relaxation is not required.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ketamine¹

First recorded in 1965–70; ket- + -amine

Example Sentences

However, it could take a month or two to fully take effect, and ketamine plus intensive psychotherapy were really the only things that broke through to treating his CPTSD.

From Salon

Springfield: I actually did ketamine recently, which didn’t do anything.

From Los Angeles Times

She said Jeni had been drinking with other students before she took the ketamine that led to her death.

From BBC

Trace amounts of ketamine were found in his stomach, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.

From Los Angeles Times

While his death at 54 was initially classified as a drowning, an autopsy revealed that the level of ketamine in his blood was about the same as would be used during general anesthesia.

From Los Angeles Times