General Anaesthetic / Dissociative Anaesthetic
Last reviewed July 2026
Who is this for?
Ketamine is a strong anaesthetic (a drug that puts you to sleep or numbs pain) used in hospitals and clinics to make you unconscious or relieve severe pain during medical procedures and surgeries.
Blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors as a non-competitive antagonist, interrupting excitatory neurotransmission and producing rapid-onset dissociative anaesthesia with analgesia while maintaining airway reflexes and respiratory drive.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
This does not apply to ketamine since it is given by medical professionals in a controlled setting, not taken on a schedule at home.
Ketamine is a controlled substance in Nigeria, so it should ONLY be used in hospitals or clinics by trained professionals. Do not buy ketamine from roadside vendors, street pharmacists, or unauthorized sellers, as misuse can cause addiction, brain damage, or death. If anyone offers you ketamine outside a medical facility, it is likely illegal and extremely dangerous.
Alcohol and ketamine together can be extremely dangerous and even deadly, so never mix them. Drugs for high blood pressure or heart conditions may interact badly with ketamine, so always tell your doctor what medicines you are taking. Sedatives, sleeping pills, or drugs that make you drowsy can dangerously increase ketamine's effects.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Ketamine with your other drugs?
Ketamine is generally not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless the doctor decides the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat, which is important in Nigeria's hot climate. Keep away from children at all times. This drug should only be stored and handled by hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.
For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under, especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.