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Low-Dose Sublingual Ketamine for the Treatment of Raynaud's Phenomenon.

Mitchell B. Liester

Cureus 2025 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.77449 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population A woman with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and treatment-resistant depression
Intervention low-dose sublingual ketamine
Dose low-dose
Topics Esketamine Ketamine
Keywords Anti-inflammatory drugs Cold sensitivity Low-dose ketamine Microvascular perfusion Numbness Peripheral vasodilation Raynaud's phenomena Skin color Skin texture Tingling Raynaud's syndrome Sublingual ketamine Vascular disorders
Key findings Low-dose sublingual ketamine treatment for depression was associated with significant improvement in Raynaud's phenomenon symptoms.

Abstract

Raynaud's phenomenon is a vascular disorder characterized by episodic vasospasm of small arteries, primarily affecting the hands and feet. Standard treatment strategies typically include lifestyle modifications to avoid cold exposure and stress, alongside pharmacological interventions aimed at increasing blood flow and reducing vascular constriction. Ketamine, an FDA-approved anesthetic since 1970, exhibits analgesic and vasodilatory properties that may enhance perfusion. This case report describes a woman with primary Raynaud's phenomenon whose symptoms improved significantly during treatment with low-dose sublingual ketamine prescribed for treatment-resistant depression. Further research into the use of this safe and inexpensive medicine as a treatment for Raynaud's phenomenon is recommended.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on ketamine, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The destruction of the lower urinary tract by ketamine abuse: a new syndrome? Young recreational abusers of street-ketamine in Hong Kong referred to urology units 2008 Retrospective case series n = 59
Electroconvulsive Therapy, Ketamine, and Esketamine in a Patient with Major Depressive Disorder and Multiple Comorbidities: A Case Report over 10-year Treatment from Adolescence to Adulthood. A patient with treatment-resistant depression and comorbid generalized anxiety... 2025 Case report n = 1
Treatment of compulsive behaviour in eating disorders with intermittent ketamine infusions Chronic and treatment-resistant eating disorder patients 1998 Case series n = 15
Oral Administration of the NMDA Receptor Antagonist S-Ketamine as Add-On Therapy of Depression: A Case Series Four depressed patients taking standard antidepressants 2009 Case series n = 4
A longitudinal case series of IM ketamine for patients with severe and enduring eating disorders and comorbid treatment‐resistant depression Patients with enduring eating disorders and treatment-resistant depression 2021 Case series n = 4

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