Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Ketamine
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine and Ketamine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Ketamine produces sympathetic stimulation by inhibiting catecholamine reuptake, and ephedrine adds indirect and direct adrenergic effects. Together they can cause exaggerated hypertension and tachycardia, which is dangerous in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, stroke, raised intracranial pressure or ischemic heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine and Ketamine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular; Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive sympathomimetic pharmacodynamic effects on blood pressure and heart rate.
What to do
Give ephedrine in small titrated doses with continuous blood pressure and heart rate monitoring. Avoid the combination where a rise in blood pressure would be hazardous.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Ketamine
Other interactions of Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ephedrine with Ketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine and Ketamine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Ketamine produces sympathetic stimulation by inhibiting catecholamine reuptake, and ephedrine adds indirect and direct adrenergic effects. Together they can cause exaggerated hypertension and tachycardia, which is dangerous in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, stroke, raised intracranial pressure or ischemic heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine and Ketamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give ephedrine in small titrated doses with continuous blood pressure and heart rate monitoring. Avoid the combination where a rise in blood pressure would be hazardous.
What other medicines interact with Ketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketamine with, for example, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Brexanolone, Buprenorphine buccal. The full list is on the Ketamine page.
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