Ketamine (Ketalar)

Ketamine (Ketalar) is a licensed anaesthetic that is commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. It is also used in small doses as a painkiller, particularly for pain associated with movement or nerve damage.

Ketamine is also abused recreationally, because of its mild hallucinatory properties. These can include changes in the perception or distances and time and altered thought processes, lasting between 30 minutes and three hours. In higher doses, users can become dissociated, meaning that they become less connected to their sense of self and their surroundings, coupled with difficulty moving: this is sometimes called a ‘k-hole’. Very high doses can cause breathing problems.

Ketamine is not thought to be physically addictive.

Ketamine is not known to have any significant interactions with antiretroviral drugs. However, habitual users may have difficulty adhering to their HIV treatment combinations whilst under the effects of the drug.

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Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.