Drug interactions
Ketamine + Methohexital
Severity: Moderate
Ketamine and Methohexital: 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
Methohexital is a short-acting barbiturate anesthetic, and with ketamine it causes additive sedation and may cause hypotension and respiratory depression. Recovery may also be prolonged.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ketamine and Methohexital 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Methohexital belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via GABA-A potentiation and NMDA antagonism.
What to do
Titrate each drug to effect, with continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, ventilation and blood pressure. Use the combination only where airway management is available.
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 Methohexital
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ketamine with Methohexital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketamine and Methohexital 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. Methohexital is a short-acting barbiturate anesthetic, and with ketamine it causes additive sedation and may cause hypotension and respiratory depression. Recovery may also be prolonged.
How serious is the interaction between Ketamine and Methohexital?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate each drug to effect, with continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, ventilation and blood pressure. Use the combination only where airway management is available.
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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