In this post:
- Therapeutic Ketamine Use & Detection
- Do Most Drug Tests Screen for Ketamine?
- Could Ketamine Therapy Affect Your Security Clearance?
- The Bottom Line
Ketamine stays in the system and can appear on standard drug tests for several days after use. Ketamine’s primary byproduct, norketamine, can linger even longer in the body. The exact time ketamine and norketamine stay in the sytem depends on the dosage, the person’s body mass, and their usage patterns.
Drug test type also determines the amount of time ketamine can be detected in the body. Blood tests only identify ketamine for about 24 hours, while hair follicle tests can spot ketamine for months. Urine tests are the most common and can detect ketamine in the body for roughly 10 days.
This article examines therapeutic ketamine use. It also discusses how long ketamine stays in the body. Finally, it explores if drug tests check for ketamine.
Therapeutic Ketamine Use & Detection
Many people turn to ketamine therapy to address conditions like depression, PTSD, and chronic pain. Treatments often involve intravenous (IV) injections, but other delivery methods include nasal sprays, lozenges, and subcutaneous injections.
Ketamine therapy offers life-saving potential and is legal throughout the U.S. when administered under clinical supervision. However, ketamine remains a Schedule III controlled substance, and its presence in the body can lead to a failed drug test.
The length of time therapeutic ketamine stays in the body depends on how often someone uses it and the type of drug test. Urine, blood, hair, and saliva tests all have varying detection windows.
How Long Ketamine Stays in Urine
The amount of time ketamine stays in urine depends on dosage and usage patterns.
- After a single dose of ketamine, drug testing can detect it in urine for 3 to 10 days. In cases of high doses or chronic use, detection times extend significantly.
- Studies show that norketamine can remain detectable for up to 31 days in nonhuman primates.
- Chronic users may test positive for ketamine and its byproducts (aka metabolites) for a significantly longer amount of time, 22 to 96 days.
Ketamine detection times also vary from person to person due to differences in metabolism. Individual metabolic rates and other compounds in the urine can affect how long ketamine stays detectable. Only sensitive and selective drug testing techniques can ensure accurate results.
Ketamine Detection Time in Blood Tests
Blood tests can detect ketamine in your system for a short period due to its rapid metabolism.
- In humans, a single dose of ketamine has a biological half-life in plasma of about 17 minutes.
- As a result, plasma levels of norketamine can remain detectable for up to 24 hours, although concentrations drop to low levels (5 to 15 ng/mL) during this time.
Blood tests are helpful for immediate use checks in medical and forensic contexts. However, employers usually do not use them for job applications.
How Long Ketamine Stays in Hair Follicles
Hair drug testing can detect ketamine in the system for several months because hair follicles trap drug metabolites as they grow. This process preserves a record of ketamine use long after the drug clears from the blood or urine.
- The exact time ketamine stays in hair follicles varies from person to person.
- In one case, a 22-year-old female who received ketamine treatment had detectable levels for four months after therapy ended.
Ketamine’s long detection window in hair follicles makes it useful for clinical and forensic settings. Most drug screens, however, do not take hair samples.
Ketamine Saliva Detection Time
Saliva tests provide a quick way to detect ketamine in the system. However, the life of ketamine in saliva is short.
- Research shows that devices like the Securetec DrugWipe 6S can identify ketamine in saliva at an 85% detection rate two hours post-treatment.
- The test’s detection rate dropped to 40% four hours post-treatment.
- These findings suggest that ketamine becomes largely undetectable in saliva within 4-6 hours post-administration.
Saliva drug testing works best for finding recent ketamine use. However, its effectiveness decreases quickly as the drug leaves the mouth and blood.
Do Most Drug Tests Screen for Ketamine?
Most employment drug tests, including standard 5-panel, 10-panel, and commercial urine tests, do not screen for ketamine or norketamine. However, specialized tests, like those for forensic investigations, compliance, and specific jobs, might. Failed results could impact employment and even carry legal consequences.
The only way to know whether ketamine will show up on a drug test is to ask the organization or laboratory about which panel they ordered and which compounds it includes.
5-panel drug tests
Most five-panel employment drug tests do not look for ketamine. Instead, they screen for schedule 1 and 2 narcotics, including:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- phencyclidine (PCP)
- Opioids
10- and 12-panel tests
Ketamine and its metabolites are not included in standard 10, or 12-panel drug tests unless specifically requested. These tests include:
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Marijuana (THC)
- MDA (Ecstasy Precursor)
- Methadone
- Methaqualone
- Tramadol
- Demerol
- Opiates,
- PCP (Phencyclidine)
- Propoxyphene
Commercial Drug Screening Panels
Urine-based drug panels from commercial companies like Quest Diagnostics and Lab Corps do not include ketamine in most packages.
Quest Diagnostics offers three drug-monitoring urine panels: a “Base,” “Plus,” and “Extended.”
- The Base and Plus panels do not screen for ketamine.
- Only the “Extended Panel” includes this dissociative anesthetic compound.
Labcorp does not include kratom in any drug screen rapid tests. Organizations that want Labcorp to look for ketamine or norketamine must order a specialized blood panel (790620).
Could Ketamine Therapy Affect Your Security Clearance?
Ketamine is a Schedule III Substance under the Controlled Substances Act and is legal in the United States if administered or prescribed by a licensed provider. Your Ketamine usage with Avesta Ketamine and Wellness is in-clinic and strictly and safely administered by a licensed provider. Being in the DC, Virginia and Maryland region, we have had multiple patients with Security Clearance come to us for treatment; none have reported issues with employment thus far.
The Bottom Line
Ketamine stays in the system for varying amounts of time, depending on dosage, frequency of use, and the type of drug test. Urine tests can identify ketamine for 3 to 10 days, with longer detection windows for chronic use. Blood and saliva tests detect ketamine for up to 24 hours, while hair tests identify use for up to seven months. Understanding ketamine’s detection timelines and the tests that screen for it is critical for people undergoing ketamine therapy who may face drug testing in the near future.
FAQs
Will I lose my job if I fail a drug test due to ketamine therapy?
If your drug test includes ketamine and you fail due to medically supervised treatment, losing your job depends on your employer’s policies and whether you disclosed treatment in advance. Many employers allow exceptions for prescribed medications, but this varies by workplace. Consult your HR department or legal counsel to understand your rights before undergoing ketamine therapy.
What can I do to remove ketamine from my system faster?
There is no guaranteed way to speed up the removal of ketamine from your system, as it depends on your metabolism, body mass, and overall health. Staying hydrated, eating nutritious foods, and engaging in light physical activity may support your body’s natural detox processes, but time is the most effective factor.
How long does ketamine stay in the system if I only receive one therapeutic dose?
After one therapeutic dose, ketamine can stay in your system for up to 24 hours in blood, 3 to 10 days in urine, and several months in hair.
