What would a doctor perscribe ketamine for?

Question

I'm trying to find out why a person would be perscribed ketamine by either a MD or a psychitriast. Its for a plot point in an upcoming mystery I'm writing. I've read a paper from the National Inst. of Health where a test subject who took ketamine in study temporarly developed Capgras Delusion. I'm wondering if a doctor who perscribe ketamine could induce Capgras.

Answer 1

Ketamine is strictly used as a veterinary anesthetic, and no doctor (at least in the US) may prescribe it for human use, as it is way too toxic. However, ketamine is a widely used recreational drug, especially in the Caribbean.



Source: I am a pharmacist

Answer 2

Ketamine is used for anesthesia for patients who are too unstable for general anesthesia with gas, such as major trauma or burn victims. The patient stays conscious, but it apparently feels almost like an out-of-body experience. I believe there have been some clinical trials showing it's very effective for major depression, but the patients had to return to the hospital for infusions every couple weeks, so it was inconvenient. Note that ketamine is not available as a pill, nor would it ever be prescribed for a patient to use at home.

Answer 3

I witnessed a patient given ketamine. He was in mass hysteria and flailing about prior to receiving an IV. One shot of ketamine and he became a manatee.

Answer 4

Its main use in humans is as a general anesthetic, but people coming out of it have a 12% incidence of adverse mental effects.



It should be used with caution in the mentally ill and alcoholics (probably a bad idea).

Answer 5

It would not be prescribed for a patient as an outpatient Rx.