Ketamine is a rapid-acting general anesthetic and NMDA receptor antagonist used for induction of anesthesia diagnostic and surgical procedures typically in combination with a muscle relaxant. It was developed in 1963 as a replacement for phencyclidine (PCP) by Calvin Stevens at Parke Davis Laboratories.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 1 reference
Ketamine interacts with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, opioid receptors, monoaminergic receptors, muscarinic receptors and voltage sensitive Ca ion channels. Unlike other general anaesthetic agents, ketamine does not interact with GABA receptors.
- Primary indication
- Ketamine is indicated as an anesthetic agent for recommended diagnostic and surgical procedures.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C13H16ClNO · 237.725 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2005 · United States, 1970
- Also known as
- DL-ketamine · NMDA
- Code names
- 100477-72-3 · N01AX03 · NSC-70151
- Brand names
Resolves to
YQEZLKZALYSWHR-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCNC1(CCCCC1=O)C1=CC=CC=C1ClWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Ketamine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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