Ketamine, an Old–New Drug: Uses and Abuses
Katarina Savić Vujović, Ana Jotić, Branislava Medić, Dragana Srebro, A. Vujovic, Janko Žujović, Ana Opanković, Sonja Vučković
Pharmaceuticals December 21, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010016 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Drug Nmda receptor Pharmacology Depression economics Heroin Adverse effect Anesthesia |
| Citations | 32 |
| Key findings | Ketamine has expanded clinical applications in treating several psychiatric and medical conditions, but its abuse potential has increased. |
Abstract
Ketamine as an old-new drug has a variety of clinical implications. In the last 30 years, ketamine has become popular for acute use in humans. Ketamine in standard doses is principally utilized for the induction and maintenance of surgical procedures. Besides its use in anesthesia and analgesia, recent studies have shown that ketamine has found a place in the treatment of asthma, epilepsy, depression, bipolar affective disorders, alcohol and heroin addiction. Ketamine primarily functions as a noncompetitive antagonist targeting the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, but its mechanism of action is complex. It is generally regarded as safe, with low doses and short-term use typically not leading to significant adverse effects. Also, ketamine is known as a powerful psychostimulant. During the past decade, ketamine has been one of the commonly abused drugs.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on ketamine for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Predictors of Response to Ketamine in Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Patients with treatment-resistant depressive symptoms as part of major depressive... | 2018 | Narrative review | |
| Can psychedelic compounds play a part in drug dependence therapy? Patients with substance dependency | 2015 | Review | |
| Therapeutic potential of ketamine for alcohol use disorder. | 2021 | Review | |
| Non-parenteral Ketamine for Depression: A Practical Discussion on Addiction Potential and Recommendations for Judicious Prescribing | 2022 | Review | |
| The therapeutic use and efficacy of ketamine in alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a scoping review Humans with alcohol use disorder or alcohol withdrawal syndrome | 2023 | Scoping review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Neural signaling mechanisms in depression: bridging classical monoamine hypotheses, animal models, and emerging antidepressant strategies Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology March 25, 2026
- Novel psychedelic interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder and their promise for precision medicine. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology December 4, 2025
- Ketamine for Treatment of Addiction in Alcohol, Opioid, and Cocaine Use Disorder Ketamine 2025
- Ketamine in psychiatry: a systematic review of clinical applications, safety considerations, and emerging challenges Frontiers in Psychiatry October 1, 2026
- Treating addiction with an addictive drug: the ketamine paradox revisited Frontiers in Psychiatry July 9, 2026
and 4 more in the library
Cites 40
- NMDAR inhibition-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites Nature April 24, 2016
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- Mechanisms of Ketamine Action as an Antidepressant Molecular Psychiatry March 13, 2018
- Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation American Journal of Psychiatry March 17, 2021
- Ketamine for chronic pain: risks and benefits British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology February 21, 2013
and 35 more in the library