A recent prospective study found that this drug is effective in reducing acute pain in patients suffering from painful snake envenomations in West Africa.
Ketamine. According to the cited reference, “An initial weight-based median dose of 5 mg of ketamine (2.5–15 mg) was administered IV for pain control. The median total dose [was] 10 mg.” All patients expressed decreased pain within 1 minute of administration, confirmed by vital signs, including a decreased in heart rate and blood pressure. Nine (75%) patients required only a single dose of ketamine; there were no reported adverse effects.”
Brandehoff N, Benjamin JM, Balde C, Chippaux JP: Ketamine for pain control of snake envenomation in Guinea: a case series. Toxicon 2020;187:82-85.
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