What class of drug does ketamine belong to?

Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic. This group of drugs is unique in that they induce a trance-like state that provides pain relief, sedation, and amnesia while allowing the patient to maintain some degree of consciousness. Ketamine works primarily by antagonizing the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor in the brain, which is involved in pain perception and memory processes.

Its dissociative properties make it particularly effective in certain medical situations, such as emergency medicine and pediatric anesthesia, where rapid onset and preservation of airway reflexes are desirable. Ketamine has a distinct mechanism of action compared to opioids, barbiturates, and local anesthetics, which operate through different pathways in the central nervous system or are used primarily for different aspects of anesthesia and pain management.