Oral ketamine produces a dose-dependent CNS depression in the rat.
The oral to parenteral potency of ketamine to produce central nervous system (CNS) depression was estimated in rats using a behavioral scale. As a function of dose, ketamine produces CNS depression that ranges from ataxia to anesthesia by either route of administration. The oral ED50 value for ketamine was 120 mg/kg (82.2-159.2, 95% CI) while the intravenous ED50 value was 3.7 mg/kg (2.4-5.1, 95% CI). Oral ketamine produces CNS effects comparable to intravenous ketamine, although the drug is approximately 32 fold less potent by the oral route.
Shimoyama
M
M
Department of Pharmacology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Shimoyama
N
N
Inturrisi
C E
CE
Elliott
K
K
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D007649:Ketamine