Dissociative anesthetics — primarily ketamine — produce pain relief, sedation, and altered consciousness by blocking NMDA receptors. At sub-anesthetic doses, compounded ketamine is used for treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, CRPS, and PTSD.
Ketamine blocks NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) glutamate receptors, disrupting pain signal transmission and triggering rapid antidepressant effects through BDNF release and synaptogenesis. It also interacts with opioid, AMPA, and sigma receptors.
IV ketamine infusions use pharmaceutical-grade ketamine, but intranasal, oral lozenge (troche), topical cream, and sublingual formulations for outpatient and home use all require compounding. Doses, concentrations, and combinations with other analgesics require customization.
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an injectable anesthetic. Esketamine (Spravato) is FDA-approved for TRD as a nasal spray but requires in-office administration. Compounded ketamine formulations (nasal, troche, topical) are 503A patient-specific preparations. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance.
These compounded medications belong to this drug class. Click any medication to learn more and compare pharmacy prices.
Submit a free quote request and receive pricing from multiple licensed compounding pharmacies within 1–2 business days.
Get Free Quotes.png){kind=spacer}
