Not recommended for use without specialist supervision
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist (NMDA receptor activation reduces opioid sensitivity)
Acts in medial thalamic nuclei and dorsal horn of the spinal cord to modify nociceptive pain pathways. It is licensed as a general anaesthetic, and is used beyond licence for the following indications:
Indications
- Neuropathic pain
- Hyperalgesia
- Inflammatory + ischaemic pain
Contra-indications
- Raised intracranial pressure – Ketamine causes intracranial hypertension
- Epilepsy
Caution
- Hypertension, cardiac failure, previous cerebrovascular accidents
Preparations
Injections 10 mg/ml – 20ml vial Oral solution 50mg/5ml
Injection 50mg/ml – 10ml vial
Injection 100mg/ml – 10ml vial
Administration
Ketamine is often started in a low dose PO. Side effects are less with oral or CSCI use than with bolus SC injections
1. Oral
- An oral solution is available in peppermint, lemon and regular flavours
- Ketamine for injection can be used direct from vial or dilute for convenience to 50 mg / 5 mls (bitter taste).
- Starting dose 10–20 mg tds PO
- Increase dose in steps of 10mg up to 50mg qds
- Maximum reported dose 200 mgs qds
- Give smaller doses more frequently if psychotomimetic phenomena or drowsiness occur
- Dose of opioid should be reduced if patient becomes drowsy
2. Continuous SC infusion
- Starting dose 1-2.5mg/kg/24hrs (typically 100–200 mg / 24 hrs )
- To minimise side effects add haloperidol 2.5mg or midazolam 2.5 mg to syringe driver
- Increase by 50-100mg/24 hr
- Maximum recommended dose is 2.4 g / 24hrs
- Ketamine is irritant \dilute to largest volume possible with 0.9% saline
Alternatively can be given as short term ‘burst’ therapy:
Starting dose 100mg/24hrs SC
Increase after 24h to 300mg/24h SC if not effective
Increase after further 24h to 500mg/24h SC if not effective
Stop 3 days after last dose increment
Ketamine is compatible with: Diamorphine, Haloperidol, Levomepromazine, Metoclopramide, Midazolam, low dose Dexamethasone
Inflammation at infusion site–Dilute 1 mg Dexamethasone in 5 mls 0.9% saline and then add Ketamine
To minimise risk of psychotomimetic effects consider prophylactic treatment with diazepam, haloperidol or midazolam
Side effects (see manufacturers SPC for full list)
Psychotomimetic phenomena, tachycardia, hypertension, diplopia, blurred vision, nystagmus, altered hearing.
If a patient experiences dysphoria or hallucinations the dose of ketamine should be reduced and a low dose of benzodiazepine or neuroleptic prescribed.
Diazepam 2-5mg PO nocte or
Midazolam 5mg SC stat + 5-10mg/24hr CSCI or
Haloperidol 2-5mg PO stat, 2-5mg SC stat, 2.5-5mg/24hr CSCI
Obtaining Ketamine in the community
Ketamine may be difficult to obtain in the community. (available by special order) It is issued from hospital pharmacies on receipt of a hospital prescription. Arrangements can be made for the prescription to be delivered to the GP surgery or local dispensing pharmacy if the patient is unable to collect it.
References
Fallon MT, Welsh J. The role of ketamine in pain control. European Journal of Palliative Care 1996;3:143-146
Meller ST. Ketamine: Relief from chronic pain through actions at the NMDA receptor? Pain.68:435-436
Fitzgibbon E, Hall. P et al. Low dose ketamine as an analgesic adjuvant in difficult pain syndromes: a strategy for conversion from parenteral to oral ketamine. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2002;2:165-170
Mercadente S. Ketamine in cancer pain. Palliative Medicine 1996;10:225-230
Jackson K et al . ’Burst’ ketamine for refractory cancer pain: an open label audit of 39 patients. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.2001;22:834-842
Hughes A et al. Ketamine. CME Bulletin Palliative Medicine .1999;1:53