Metabolism and metabolomics of ketamine: a toxicological approach
Forensic Sciences Research January 2, 2017 R. Dinis-Oliveira 2 citations
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, is metabolized primarily in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes, especially 3A4 and 2B6, into the active metabolite norketamine and other minor compounds. Recent metabolomics studies show ketamine alters glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid metabolism, and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Understanding these metabolic pathways may improve clinical and forensic characterization of ketamine.