Safety considerations and risk mitigation strategies for ketamine use: a comprehensive review.
Reem Sayad, Ahmed Saad Elsaeidy, Amna M Anis, Mohamed Atef, Eslam A Hawash, Hager Adel Saad, Khadijah Ali Abdalrahman Hamad, Neveen A Kohaf
Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000003232 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Ketamine therapy Mental health treatment Medical safety protocols Pain management Anesthesia advances |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key findings | Ketamine's safety profile involves cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and dependency risks, and evidence-based guidelines for administration and monitoring are needed. |
Abstract
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has gained widespread use in various medical contexts, including anesthesia, pain management, and treatment-resistant depression. Despite its therapeutic potential, concerns regarding its safety profile have prompted ongoing research and regulatory guidance. This comprehensive literature review explores the current safety considerations of ketamine, summarizing its adverse effects, particularly on cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and dependency effects. Evidence-based guidelines for its administration, dosing, and monitoring are discussed, emphasizing the importance of risk-benefit assessments in clinical practice. The review also delves into current guidelines and proposes future directions for ketamine research and clinical implementation, including enhanced safety protocols, long-term patient outcomes, and the development of individualized safe dosing protocols.