Rising incidence of recreational ketamine use: Clinical cases and management in emergency settings.
Sabrina Marongiu, Maarten van Eijk, Femke M J Gresnigt, Esther A Croes, Eric J F Franssen
Toxicology Reports June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.101940 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Young adults in nightlife settings in the Netherlands |
| Topics | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Emergency medicine Ketamine-induced uropathy Mixed intoxication Toxicological screening Drugs-of-abuse narcotics Illicit drugs Recreational drugs Club drugs Emergency-medicine urgent care Emergency room Toxicology drug testing Substance detection |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Routine inclusion of ketamine in toxicological screening could improve diagnostic precision and better address health risks from its rising recreational use. |
Abstract
The recreational use of ketamine has risen significantly in the Netherlands, particularly among young adults in nightlife settings. This trend has been accompanied by an increase in first aid incidents involving ketamine, often in combination with other substances such as alcohol or MDMA, leading to heightened toxicity. Acute intoxication with ketamine manifests through symptoms like agitation, hallucinations, nausea, tachycardia, and hypertension, while frequent use is associated with long-term complications, including ketamine-induced uropathy. Although ketamine is not currently included in standard toxicological screenings, its detection can aid in diagnosing mixed intoxications, excluding alternative causes, and facilitating referral to follow-up care. Routine inclusion of ketamine in toxicological screening could improve diagnostic precision and better address the health risks associated with its growing prevalence.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms | 2018 | Review | |
| Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant | 2018 | Review | |
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Ketamine Pharmacology: An Update (Pharmacodynamics and Molecular Aspects, Recent Findings) | 2013 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Self-treatment of psychiatric conditions using ketamine: Patterns, characteristics, and retrospective insights. Journal of Psychopharmacology June 1, 2026
- Real-World Therapeutic Use of Ketamine in Clinical and Non-Clinical Settings: A Cross-Sectional Survey Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 23, 2026
- Treatment and management approaches for ketamine misuse: A systematic review of medical interventions Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment July 1, 2026
- Beyond the High: A Narrative Review of the Chronic Complications of Recreational Ketamine Use. British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005) May 18, 2026
- Health risks associated with non-medical use of ketamine in France: National surveillance insights from the French Addictovigilance Network, 2019-2023. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 23, 2026
Cites 6
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- Brain Changes Associated With Long-Term Ketamine Abuse, A Systematic Review Frontiers in Neuroanatomy March 18, 2022
- Intranasal Ketamine for Depression in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials Frontiers in Psychology June 1, 2021
- Ketamine use in a large global sample: Characteristics, patterns of use and emergency medical treatment. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2025
- Ketamine cystitis following ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression – case report BMC Psychiatry January 2, 2024
and 1 more in the library