The Safety and Tolerability of Ketamine: Concerns and Questions
May 14, 2019 DOI: 10.64239/pi-vl1405 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Dose | low-dose (subanesthetic) |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key points | The authors argue that despite high response and remission rates after a single ketamine dose, long-term safety and efficacy data remain limited. They contend that while low-dose (subanesthetic) ketamine has not generated significant safety concerns so far, concerns persist about cognitive impairment, bladder toxicity, increased propensity for delusions, and abuse liability with indefinite exposure. |
Abstract
Despite the exciting findings of high rates of response and remission following a single dose of ketamine, there are limited reports of the long-term safety and efficacy of ketamine. While the reported studies of low-dose (subanesthetic) ketamine for use in depression have not generated significant safety concerns, the field awaits further evidence of the long-term safety of ketamine. Concerns still exist over adverse clinical outcomes that may stem from indefinite ketamine exposure, including cognitive impairment, bladder toxicity, increased propensity for delusions, and abuse liability.