Author(s):
Devendra J. Bagul, Sumit K. Birari, Ram A. Chaudhari, Samir B. Aher
Email(s):
devendrabagul52@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2321-5836.2026.00054 
Address:
Devendra J. Bagul1*, Sumit K. Birari2, Ram A. Chaudhari3, Samir B. Aher4
1Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Mahatma Gandhi Vidyamandir’s Pharmacy College Panchavati, Nashik - 3, Maharashtra 422003, India.
2Loknete Dr. J. D. Pawar College of Pharmacy, Kalwan, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
3Gokhale Education Society's Sir Dr. M. S. Gosavi College of Pharmaceutical Education and Reasearch, Nashik - 05, Maharashtra, India.
4R.C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dhule, Maharashtra, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 18,
Issue - 4,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Ketamine is a potent pharmacological agent with significant sedative and analgesic properties, making it a valuable choice for pediatric patients undergoing various medical procedures. As an NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine induces a dissociative anesthetic state while preserving airway reflexes and maintaining hemodynamic stability, distinguishing it from other sedatives. Its rapid onset of action and dose-dependent effects contribute to its widespread use in emergency and perioperative settings for pain management and procedural sedation. The pharmacokinetics of ketamine allow for efficient absorption and distribution, leading to effective sedation with minimal respiratory depression. Additionally, its analgesic effects extend beyond procedural use, showing promise in managing acute and chronic pain in children. However, despite its advantages, ketamine is associated with transient adverse effects such as emergence delirium, hyper salivation, and mild cardiovascular stimulation. This review explores the pharmacological mechanisms, clinical applications, and safety profile of ketamine in pediatric sedation and analgesia, emphasizing its role as a reliable and effective anesthetic agent in modern pediatric practice.
Cite this article:
Devendra J. Bagul, Sumit K. Birari, Ram A. Chaudhari, Samir B. Aher. Ketamine in Pediatric Sedation and Analgesia: Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, Safety Profile and Future Perspectives. Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics. 2026;18(4):400-6. doi: 10.52711/2321-5836.2026.00054
Cite(Electronic):
Devendra J. Bagul, Sumit K. Birari, Ram A. Chaudhari, Samir B. Aher. Ketamine in Pediatric Sedation and Analgesia: Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, Safety Profile and Future Perspectives. Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics. 2026;18(4):400-6. doi: 10.52711/2321-5836.2026.00054 Available on: https://www.rjppd.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-18-4-10
REFERENCES:
1. Miller RD. Ketamine. In: Miller RD, editor. Miller’s anesthesia. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2015. p. 763–786.
2. Domino EF. History of the discovery and development of ketamine. In: Domino EF, editor. Ketamine: use and abuse. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2010. p. 1–10.
3. Zarate CA Jr, Singh JB, Carlson PJ, Brutsche NE, Ameli R, Luckenbaugh DA, et al. A randomized trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in treatment-resistant major depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006; 63(8): 856–864.
4. Linda L, Vlisides PE. Ketamine: 50 years of modulating the mind. Front Hum Neurosci. 2016; 10: 612. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5126726/
5. Ratliff W. The history of ketamine. 2022 Mar 6. https://www.transcendketamine.com/blog-posts/the-history-of-ketamine
6. Domino EF, Warner DS. Ketamine: a review of its pharmacology and clinical uses. J Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2010;30(3):288–297.
7. Moffat AC, Osselton MD, Widdop B. Clarke’s analysis of drugs and poisons. 4th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2013.
8. Silverstein RM, Webster FX, Kiemle DJ. Spectrometric identification of organic compounds. 7th ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons; 2005.
9. Taqa AA, Taqa GA. Preparation of ketamine powder from ketamine hydrochloride. International Journal Dental Sciences and Research. 2015; 3(6): 124–127.
10. Brunton LL, Hilal-Dandan R, Knollmann BC. Anesthetics. In: Goodman and Gilman’s the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 13th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2018.
11. Zanos P, Moaddel R, Morris PJ, Riggs LM, Highland JN, Georgiou P, et al. NMDAR inhibition-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites. Nature. 2018; 553(7689): 481–486.
12. Sleigh J, Harvey M, Voss L. Ketamine: more mechanisms of action than just NMDA blockade. Trends Anaesth Crit Care. 2014; 4(2–3): 76–81. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210844014200062
13. Müller P, Bernard E. Synthesis of ketamine. Org Synth. 2017; 94: 222–229.
14. Smith MB, March J. March’s advanced organic chemistry: reactions, mechanisms, and structure. 6th ed. New York: Wiley; 2013.
15. Carey FA, Sundberg RJ. Advanced organic chemistry: Part B: reactions and synthesis. 5th ed. New York: Springer; 2007.
16. Li L, Vlisides PE. Ketamine: 50 years of modulating the mind. Front Hum Neurosci. 2016; 10: 612.
17. Morgan CJ, Curran HV. Ketamine use: a review. Addiction. 2012;107(1):27–38.
18. Ko S. What are ketamine’s side effects. 2021 Oct. https://www.resetketamine.com/blog/2021/10/11/what-are-ketamines-side-effects. https://www.resetketamine.com/blog/2021/10/11/what-are-ketamines-side-effects
19. Weaver LK, Churchill S. Treatment of ketamine overdose. Criticall Care Medicine.2007; 35(12): 2871–2876.
20. Green SM, Krauss B. Ketamine: a review of its use in anesthesia and medicine. J Clin Anesth. 2004; 16(2): 135–145.
21. Li L, Vlisides PE. Ketamine: 50 years of modulating the mind. Front Hum Neurosci. 2016;10: 612.
22. Ko S. What are ketamine’s side effects. 2021 Oct. https://www.resetketamine.com/blog/2021/10/11/what-are-ketamines-side-effects