The Long History of Ketamine
Ketamine is a medication which has generally been used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. In anesthetic doses, ketamine induces dissociative anesthesia, a trance-like state, providing pain relief, sedation, and amnesia. The distinguishing features of ketamine anesthesia are preserved breathing and airway reflexes. Ketamine is very safe and was utilized for soldiers in Vietnam as early as the 1960’s. It was approved for use in the U.S. in 1970. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed ketamine as an essential medication, adding it to the “WHO Essential Medications List” in 1985.