Ketamine

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE KETALAR (ketamine hydrochloride) injection is indicated: as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation. for the induction of anesthesia prior to the administration of other general anesthetic agents. as a supplement to other anesthetic agents. KETALAR is a general anesthetic indicated: as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic and surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation ( 1 ) for the induction of anesthesia prior to the administration of other general anesthetic agents ( 1 ) as a supplement to other anesthetic agents ( 1 ).

12.1 Mechanism of Action KETALAR, a racemic mixture of ketamine, is a non-selective, non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor. The major circulating metabolite of ketamine (norketamine) demonstrated activity at the same receptor with less affinity. Norketamine is about 1/3 as active as ketamine in reducing halothane requirements (MAC) of the rat.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION See Full Prescribing Information for important dosage and administration instructions. ( 2 ) Induction of anesthesia: -- Intravenous route : Initially, 1 to 4.5 mg/kg administered slowly (over a period of 60 seconds). Alternatively, administer a dose of 1 to 2 mg/kg at a rate of 0.5 mg/kg/min. ( 2.2 ) -- Intramuscular route : Initially, 6.5 to 13 mg/kg. ( 2.2 ) Maintenance of anesthesia: Increments of one-half to the full induction dose may be repeated as needed ( 2.2 ). Adjust the dose according to the patient's anesthetic needs and whether an additional anesthetic agent is employed. ( 2.2 ) Supplement to other anesthetic agents : The regimen of a reduced dose of KETALAR supplemented with diazepam can be used to produce balanced anesthesia by combination with other agents. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information KETALAR should be administered by or under the direction of physicians experienced in the administration of general anesthetics, maintenance of a patent airway, and oxygenation and ventilation. Continuously monitor vital signs in patients receiving KETALAR. Emergency airway equipment must be immediately available. KETALAR is a clear, colorless sterile solution. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Discard if product is discolored or contains particulate matter. Do not administer the 100 mg/mL concentration of KETALAR intravenously without proper dilution [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] . Must be used immediately after dilution. While some degree of airway protection may be afforded due to active laryngeal-pharyngeal reflexes, vomiting and aspiration may occur with KETALAR. KETALAR is not recommended for use in patients who have not followed nil per os guidelines. Due to the potential for salivation during KETALAR administration, administer an antisialagogue prior to induction of anesthesia. 2.2 Recommended Dosage and Administration The KETALAR dosage must be individualized and titrated to the desired clinical effect. If a longer duration of effect is desired, additional increments can be administered intravenously or intramuscularly to maintain anesthesia. However, a higher total dose will result in a longer time to complete recovery. Induction of Anesthesia Intravenous Route: The initial dose of KETALAR administered intravenously may range from 1 mg/kg to 4.5 mg/kg. The average amount required to produce 5 to 10 minutes of surgical anesthesia within 30 seconds following injection is 2 mg/kg. Administer KETALAR slowly (i.e., over a period of 60 seconds). Rapid administration may result in respiratory depression and enhanced vasopressor response. The induction dose may be administered as an intravenous infusion at a rate of 0.5 mg/kg/min. Intramuscular Route : The initial dose of KETALAR administered intramuscularly may range from 6.5 to 13 mg/kg. A dose of 9 to 13 mg/kg usually produces surgical anesthesia within 3 to 4 minutes following injection, with the anesthetic effect usually lasting 12 to 25 minutes. Administer a benzodiazepine, if clinically indicated, for the prevention of neuropsychological manifestations during emergence from anesthesia. Maintenance of Anesthesia Adjust the maintenance dose according to the patient's anesthetic needs and whether an additional anesthetic agent is administered. Repeat increments of one-half to the full induction dose as needed for maintenance of anesthesia. Purposeless and tonic-clonic movements of extremities may occur during the course of ketamine anesthesia. These movements do not imply a light plane and are not indicative of the need for additional doses of the anesthetic. KETALAR given by slow microdrip infusion technique at a dose of 0.1 to 0.5 mg/minute will maintain general anesthesia in adult patients induced with KETALAR. Augment KETALAR with an intravenous benzodiazepine for the preventio

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hemodynamic Instability [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Emergence Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Pediatric Neurotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Drug-Induced Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of KETALAR were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiovascular disorders : Elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac index; decreases in blood pressure and heart rate; arrhythmias; cardiac decompensation (in patients with suspected catecholamine depletion). Eye disorders : Diplopia, nystagmus, elevation in intraocular pressure. Gastrointestinal disorders : Anorexia, nausea, vomiting; hepatobiliary dysfunction, biliary duct dilatation, biliary duct stricture and/or stenosis with or without evidence of biliary obstruction; secondary sclerosing cholangitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. Administration site disorders : Local pain and exanthema at the injection site. Immune system disorders : Anaphylaxis. Neurologic disorders : Emergence reactions (post-operative delirium), [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. During administration, enhanced muscle tone and spasms (resembling a partial motor or generalized motor seizure). Psychiatric disorders : Adverse psychiatric events have occurred and/or persisted days to weeks after ketamine exposure. Renal and urinary disorders: In individuals with a history of long-term ketamine use or abuse, urinary tract complications related to cystitis, reduced bladder capacity, ureteral stenosis (strictures), ureteral obstruction, and hydronephrosis have been reported [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] . Cystitis (including cystitis non-infective, cystitis interstitial, cystitis ulcerative, cystitis erosive and cystitis hemorrhagic) and reduced bladder capacity may present with genitourinary pain, dysuria, increased urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, and hematuria. Ureteral stenosis (strictures), ureteral obstruction, and hydronephrosis may present with flank and/or pelvic pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, hematuria, nausea and vomiting, and acute kidney injury. Respiratory disorders : Respiratory depression and apnea following rapid intravenous administration of high doses of KETALAR; laryngospasm, and airway obstruction. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : Transient erythema and/or morbilliform rash The most common adverse reactions are emergence reactions and elevated blood pressure and pulse ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Par Health at 1-800-828-9393 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hemodynamic Instability: Monitor vital signs and cardiac function during KETALAR administration. ( 5.1 ) Emergence Reactions: Postoperative confusional states may occur during the recovery period. Reduce by minimizing verbal, tactile, and visual stimulation of the patient. ( 5.2 ) Risk of Respiratory Depression: May occur with overdosage or too rapid a rate of administration. Maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation. ( 5.3 ) Risks of KETALAR alone for Procedures of the Pharynx, Larynx, or Bronchial Tree : Pharyngeal and laryngeal reflexes are not suppressed with KETALAR when it is used alone. Avoid use as a sole anesthetic agent in surgery or diagnostic procedures of the pharynx, larynx, or bronchial tree. Muscle relaxants may be required. ( 5.4 ) Pediatric Neurotoxicity: Long-term cognitive deficits may occur when used for longer than 3 hours in children ≤3 years ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Hemodynamic Instability Transient increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac index are frequently observed following administration of KETALAR. Decreases in blood pressure and heart rate, arrhythmias, and cardiac decompensation have also been observed. Monitor vital signs and cardiac function during KETALAR administration. KETALAR is contraindicated in patients for whom a significant elevation of blood pressure would constitute a serious hazard [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . 5.2 Emergence Reactions Emergence delirium (postoperative confusional states or agitation) has occurred in approximately 12% of patients during the recovery period, and the duration is generally a few hours. The neuropsychological manifestations vary in severity between pleasant dream-like states, vivid imagery, hallucinations, and emergence delirium. In some cases, these states have been accompanied by confusion, excitement, and irrational behavior, which have been recalled as unpleasant experiences. No residual psychological effects are known to have resulted from use of KETALAR during induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Intramuscular administration results in a lower incidence of emergence reactions. The incidence of psychological manifestations during emergence, particularly dream-like observations and emergence delirium, may be reduced by using lower recommended dosages of KETALAR in conjunction with an intravenous benzodiazepine during induction and maintenance of anesthesia [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] . Also, these reactions may be reduced if verbal, tactile, and visual stimulation of the patient is minimized during the recovery period. This does not preclude the monitoring of vital signs. 5.3 Respiratory Depression Respiratory depression may occur with overdosage or a rapid rate of administration of KETALAR. Maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation. 5.4 Risks of Ketalar Alone for Procedures of the Pharynx, Larynx, or Bronchial Tree KETALAR does not suppress pharyngeal and laryngeal reflexes. Avoid KETALAR administration as a sole anesthetic agent during procedures of the pharynx, larynx, or bronchial tree, including mechanical stimulation of the pharynx. Muscle relaxants may be required for successful completion of procedures of the pharynx, larynx, or bronchial tree. 5.5 Pediatric Neurotoxicity Published animal studies demonstrate that the administration of anesthetic and sedation drugs that block NMDA receptors and/or potentiate GABA activity increase neuronal apoptosis in the developing brain and result in long-term cognitive deficits when used for longer than 3 hours. The clinical significance of these findings is not clear. However, based on the available data, the window of vulnerability to these changes is believed to correlate with exposures in the third trimester of gestation through the first several months of life, but may extend out to approximately three years of age in humans [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 , 8.4 ), Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.2 )]. Some published studies in children suggest

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS KETALAR is contraindicated in patients for whom a significant elevation of blood pressure would constitute a serious hazard [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ]. KETALAR is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to ketamine or to any excipient [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 ) ]. In patients for whom a significant elevation of blood pressure would be a serious hazard ( 4 ). Known hypersensitivity to ketamine or to any excipient ( 4 ).

10 OVERDOSAGE Changes in heart rate and blood pressure, respiratory depression, and apnea may occur with overdosage or by a rapid rate of administration of KETALAR. Monitor patients for clinically relevant changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Assisted ventilation, including mechanical ventilation, may be required. In cases of unintentional overdose of KETALAR (up to ten times the usual dose), patients had a prolonged but complete recovery.