ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈke-tə-ˌmēn  ˈkē- 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously and intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces

Note: Ketamine is also called Special K when used as a recreational drug

Examples of ketamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Perry died from acute effects of the prescription drug ketamine at the age of 54, according to an autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE in December 2023. —Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

The actor had been undergoing ketamine infusions for depression and anxiety, but was also using the drug unsupervised and had become addicted, according to prosecutors. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

The levels of ketamine in his body were equivalent to the amount used for general anesthesia during surgery, the medical examiner said. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024

Perry had been undergoing ketamine treatment for depression and anxiety, but prosecutors say the actor had been using the drug unsupervised and had become addicted. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ket(one) + amine

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈkēt-ə-ˌmēn 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces see special k