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'''Dissociative Anaesthetics''' interrupt signals from conciousness centers rather then a generalised center depression. The patients eyes remain open with a slow nystagmus, and hypertonus and spontaneous movements may occur. Examples include [[#Dissociative agents|phencyclidine]], [[#Dissociative agents|ketamine]] and [[#Dissociative agents|tiletamine]].
==Mechanism of Action==
Dissociative agents are highly lipid soluble, allowing for their rapid onset of action. They produce a dose related anaesthetic and analgesic effect. It is currently thought that the most likely mechanism of action is antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. They appear to have a greater somatic analgesic effect compared with visceral pain.
==Pharmacolocical considerations==
Dissociative agents can be given via intravenous or intramuscular route. They under go hepatic metabolism and excreted via the kidney.
==Contraindications and Side effects==
===Central Nervous System===
*Dissociative agents significantly increase cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure.
===Cardiovascular System===
*Tachycardia and increased arterial blood pressure are seen due to sympathetic activity.
*Increased myocardial oxygen consumption and cardiac work.
*These cardiovascular effects can be limited by the admisitration of [[Benzodiazepines|benzodiazepines]] or [[Alpha-2 Agonists| alpha-2 agonists]] prior to the agent being given.
===Respiratory System===
*There may be an initial fall in respiratory rate but this soon normalises.
*Agents can increase salivation and respiratory tract secretions but this can be partly controlled by antimuscarnic administration.
==Uses==
Dissociative agents are used to provide analgesia, both peri- and post-operatively. They can also be used as the primary anaesthetic agent in combination with other agents in cats and horses. It can also be used in combination for short procedures in ruminants.
==Drugs in this Group==
===Ketamine===
[[NMDA Antagonists|'''Ketamine''']] is the most commonly used dissociative anaesthetic. It has the lowest potency and shortest duration of action of the three agents. It is available as a 10, 50 and 100mg/ml solution. It is often used in combination with [[#Opioids|morphine]] and [[#Local Anaesthetics|lidocaine]] in a continuous-rate infusion or ''MLK drip''.
===Tiletamine===
'''Tiletamine''' is available in combination with the [[#Benzodiazepines|benzodiazepine]], zolamzepam as a 1:1 combination in powder form which can be made into a highly concentrated solution used for darting wild animals.
===Phencyclidine===
'''Phencyclidine''' was the first dissociative agent used in veterinary patients, it is no longer available for clinical use. However, it is the most potent of the three agents.