Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative analgesic indicated for the treatment of severe agitation, musculoskeletal pain, pain management for pacing and cardioversion, ventilatory difficulty secondary to bucking or combativeness in intubated patients, and for CPR-induced awareness. Ketamine's safety profile makes it an excellent option for extremity and back pain. It is classified by the DEA as a Schedule III agent and is tracked using our standard Controlled Dangerous Substance procedures.
The dosing is very different for each of the indications and routes of administration. To avoid dosing errors, ALS clinicians must be aware of and confirm the proper concentration prior to administration. This is a by-the-book medication.
ALS clinicians must view this site and pass the quiz at the bottom of the presentation prior to using ketamine.
Low concentration
Low concentration ketamine is given IV/IO for severe agitation, pain management, tube bucking in intubated patients and CPR-induced awareness. It comes in a concentration of 10mg/mL. We carry vials of 200mg in 20mL which are physically larger than the high concentration vials and will not include heat shrink labeling.
High concentration
High concentration ketamine is given IM for severe agitation (and IM/IN for pain management when supply chain is available). It comes in a concentration of 100mg/mL. We carry vials of 500mg in 5mL that will include "High Alert CONCENTRATED" heat shrink labeling around the cap and top.
High concentration ketamine is 10 times stronger than the low concentration - be careful!
