What is ketamine?
Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that can produce a sense of detachment from one’s surroundings and from oneself at certain doses. It is classified in the United States as a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it has approved medical uses but also carries a risk of misuse, dependence, and diversion when not used as directed.
Clinicians primarily use ketamine for anesthesia and procedural sedation, as well as to help manage pain. In recent years, controlled ketamine therapy has also been studied and used in specialized settings for conditions such as treatment‑resistant depression and certain types of chronic pain, always under strict medical supervision.
Ketamine exists in several physical forms, pharmaceutical salts, and drug delivery formats. Understanding these distinction breaks down into physical salt forms vs. clinical/consumer formulations:
- Ketamine HCl Powder / Crystals: The pure USP-grade pharmaceutical salt base. Perfect for custom pharmacy compounding into sprays, troches, and liquids.
- Compounded Nasal Spray: Fast-acting, high-absorption formula designed for rapid relief. Easy to use and delivers precise dosing every time.
- Sublingual Troches & RDTs: Premium flavor-coated lozenges and rapid-dissolve tablets. Convenient, discreet, and ideal for controlled home therapy.
- Injectable Liquid Solution: Medical-grade, pre-mixed sterile liquid (100 mg/mL). Ready for instant IV or IM clinical administration.