What Is Ketamine? Drug Class, Schedule & Drug Test Answers

Evidence-based answer reviewed against SAMHSA cutoffs and FDA assay documentation · Updated September 2026

Quick answer: Ketamine is a Dissociative anesthetic (NMDA antagonist). Schedule III (medical); esketamine Schedule III. Here's how the drug is classified, whether it's a narcotic/controlled substance, and what that means for testing.

What is Ketamine?

Drug class: Dissociative anesthetic (NMDA antagonist)

Federal schedule: Schedule III (medical); esketamine Schedule III.

Ketamine requires dedicated assays; standard employment cups omit it. Pain clinics, psychiatry (Spravato programs), and forensic settings order the specific test.

Is Ketamine a narcotic?

It is classified as a narcotic under the DEA's federal schedule. What matters more for you: Schedule III (medical); esketamine Schedule III..

Does it show up on drug tests?

No — it is not on the standard 5-panel; it appears only on expanded or panel-specific orders. See the full Ketamine drug test guide for detection windows and cutoffs.

False-positive caution

  • Weak PCP-screen cross-reactivity documented at screen tier.

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Medical disclaimer: DrugPanels provides educational information about laboratory drug testing and does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Detection windows are population ranges — individual results vary with metabolism, dose, frequency and health status. Never stop prescribed medication to pass a test without talking to your prescriber. Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links; if you order through them we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

People also ask

Does Ketamine Show up on a Drug Test?

No — Ketamine is absent from standard drug panels. Full guide →

How Long Does Ketamine Stay in Your System Drug Test?

How long Ketamine stays detectable in your system (all test types) — urine, hair, saliva & blood windows explained with cutoffs. Full guide →

Ketamine Drug Test Guide: Panels, Detection Windows & More?

Complete Ketamine drug test guide: which panels detect it, urine/hair/saliva/blood detection windows, cutoff levels and prescription verification. Full guide →

How Long Does Ketamine Stay in Urine?

How long Ketamine stays detectable in urine — urine, hair, saliva & blood windows explained with cutoffs. Full guide →

Do prescriptions count against me?

No — verified prescriptions report as negative through the Medical Review Officer. Declare medications at collection and answer the follow-up call.

Related guides

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Sources & further reading

  • SAMHSA — Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (cutoffs, MRO process)
  • DOT — 49 CFR Part 40 procedures for transportation workplace testing
  • Brahm NC et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008;83(1):66–76 — false-positive cross-reactivity reference
  • FDA — drug-of-abuse test device labeling (detection window conventions)