r/emergencymedicine Jun 20 '25

Advice Ketamine-- how to prepare patients?

Hi folks, ER nurse here. I'm curious how you talk to patients about ketamine admin for procedures or for intractable pain relief. I give it fairly often but I still haven't found the right way to prepare patients (or parents of littles) for the psychotropic effects. I've never used ketamine personally, but it seems to be a very intense experience that ought to be part of the informed consent conversation. What is our ethical obligation?

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u/m25van Jun 20 '25

I tell them to think about their next vacation and that people pay good money for this sort of drug. All the celebrities are using it for depression. That sort of stuff usually lightens the mood