Definition of the word ketamine

The scientific name for the chemical compound ketamine is (2R,4R)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(methylamino)cyclohexanone. However, we typically refer to it by its common name, ketamine. The origins of the word "ketamine" can be traced back to the 1960s when the drug was first synthesized by a team of American chemists at Parke-Davis, a pharmaceutical company. Ketamine was initially developed as an alternative to earlier anesthetics, such as phencyclidine (PCP), which had been found to cause severe side effects. Ketamine's chemical structure includes a nitrogen atom and a ketone group (-COR), which gave the drug its name. The "ket" part of the name comes from the ketone group, while the "amine" part comes from the nitrogen atom, which is also present in many other common drugs, such as tylenol (acetaminophen) and benadryl (diphenhydramine). In medical settings, ketamine is most commonly used as an anesthetic for surgeries and procedures where controlled sedation is necessary, such as in pediatric or trauma cases. It is also sometimes used off-label as a treatment for depression and chronic pain. However, ketamine has also gained a reputation as a recreational drug, with some people abusing it for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects. The widespread misuse of ketamine led to the drug being classified as a controlled substance in many countries, including the United States, where it is currently a Schedule III drug. In summary, the term "ketamine" refers to the chemical compound (2R,4R)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(methylamino)cyclohexanone, which was developed as an alternative to earlier anesthetics and gained its name from the drug's chemical structure.