Ketamine.
Ketamine is a very versatile inexpensive drug and plays an invaluable role in the developing world. In regions where access and funding for a wider range of drugs is problematic, its broad range of clinical applications is ideal. Its good safety profile and ease of storage makes it ideal for use in areas where refrigerators, complex monitoring, electricity and oxygen may all be in short supply or unreliable. Ketamine is also finding increasing use in both the acute and chronic pain settings and research is still ongoing into a potential neuroprotective effect for ketamine in brain injury.
Craven
R
R
Bristol Royal Infirmary, Marlborough Street, Bristol BS1 3NU, UK. rmcraven@hotmail.com
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects
D000700:Analgesics; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D007649:Ketamine