Home › Patient Information › Hospitals › Royal Preston Hospital › Ketamine Injection

Ketamine Injection.

Your child has had a drug called Ketamine, a short-acting sedative in order to carry out their treatment.
Once your child is on their feet and aware of their surroundings they will be allowed home.

Print

Chinese (Traditional)

Ketamine - Information for Parents

Ketamine is a drug that has been in use since 1970. It is a sedative and pain-killing drug and also results in the patients not remembering the procedure (amnesia).

Your child will be taken to the Accident and Emergency theatre. After being weighed, he/she will receive an injection into the thigh containing ketamine and atropine.

One of the side effects of ketamine is to make the eyes and mouth water, the use of atropine helps to prevent this.

Within 5 minutes the drug will take effect. Your child’s eyes may become glazed, he/she may look vacant or he/she may look round the room in amazement.

Your child may not be aware of his/her surroundings and may not recognise you during this period, which will last approximately 30 minutes. You may sit with your child during the procedure.

A sensor (pulse oximeter) will be attached to your child’s finger or toe with tape. This measures the amount of oxygen in the blood by shining a light through the finger or toe.

The doctor will inject local anaesthetic into the wound before carrying out any procedure, eg, stitching the wound. Depending on the local anaesthetic used and the site injected, this will provide pain relief for up to several hours after the procedure.

During the procedure the nurse may have to hold your child’s head or arms. It is not unusual for the child to move his/her arms in a random fashion. Your child is not distressed if this occurs.

Ketamine can, rarely, induce vivid dreams in children. The drug can very rarely cause laryngospasm, which is spasm of the windpipe resulting in noisy breathing. This is usually dealt with by using oxygen and supporting the airway.

At the end of the procedure your child will be placed on his/her side. During this period your child may appear confused, say inappropriate words, sing or cry as he/she recovers.

Your child will be allowed home once he/she fully recognises you and can walk unaided. This will normally take at least 60 minutes. During this period please try to keep your child still as rapid movements may precipitate an episode of vomiting.

At home your child should not walk independently for the first 2 hours after discharge. Only clear fluids should be allowed during this time, as vomiting may occur. Vomiting occurs in about 1 in 10 patients.

You may prefer that your child is not given ketamine, if so the doctor may perform the procedure after injecting local anaesthetic into the wound and no sedation will be given or if required the doctor may refer on to another speciality to carry out the procedure.

Share this...

If you have any concerns after you have left hospital, please do not hesitate to telephone us on Chorley ED: 01257 245 219 or Preston ED: 01772 522 878.

A senior nurse or doctor will be able to advise you.

Were you prepared for the visit today?

Did you feel you were prepared for your hospital visit today? Not many people do. The focus of getting there, whether it is in an emergency or for an appointment, can easily end up with you in a muddle.

Am I Prepared?

Related Information

Pride and Stonewall

June is Pride Month! It’s a perfect time to reflect on the long history of resistance that led up to this month-long celebration of awareness and…

News & Blog

QR Codes: Delivering Information

Everything you ever wanted to know about QR codes

News & Blog

Going Green

To reduce our carbon footprint and help the planet, MySelfCare and BOE have joined the Chamber Low Carbon scheme. We’re on track for becoming greenhouse gas…

News & Blog

Instant Translation

Translate and print any of your patient information instantly.

News & Blog

Part 2 – Delivering Information

This video explores the diverse range of patient information delivery products offered by MySelfCare, providing comprehensive guidance on how to utilise them effectively.

Videos

111

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do.

Self Health

Was this information useful?

How easy to understand and how useful was the information for you. All feedback is anonymous. If you would like a possible response, please include your email.

How was your visit today?

How well did our staff do today in helping you with your condition. Please note All feedback is anonymous. If you would like a possible response, please include your email.

Treatment Feedback - Tools for Hospitals

Coming soon – order physical products, and new categories, review your documents and much more.

You must have a valid NHS Email to use this service.

Find Out More

News & Blog

View All

Part 2 – Delivering Information

This video explores the diverse range of patient information delivery products offered by MySelfCare, providing comprehensive guidance on how to utilise them effectively.

Videos

Part 1 – Scanning QRs

This video provides step-by-step instructions on how to use QR codes with MySelfCare, making it easy for you to utilise this powerful feature

Videos

Introduction Video

Introducing you to MySelfCare and a Quick overview of its features and how it works in the Hospital

Videos

Stressed man frustrated with electronic devices

Burnout at work

Over the past few decades, “burnout” has become an all-too-familiar way of speaking about a growing problem. Although originating with psychologist Herbert Freudenberger’s 1974 theory, it…

Blog