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Published on: January 7, 2019

Oral ketamine for children with chronic pain: a pilot phase 1 study

Amy-Lee Bredlau1, Michael P McDermott, Heather R Adams

  • 1Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. bredlau@musc.edu

The Journal of Pediatrics
|February 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Oral ketamine shows promise for pediatric chronic pain management. Dosages up to 1 mg/kg were found safe for 14-day use in children, with some experiencing significant pain relief.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pain Management
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic pain affects a significant number of children.
  • Current pain management strategies for children have limitations.
  • Oral ketamine is being explored as an alternative analgesic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the safety of higher oral ketamine dosages for pediatric sedation.
  • To evaluate oral ketamine as a treatment option for chronic pain in children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 12 children with chronic pain.
  • Administered oral ketamine for 14 days at doses from 0.25-1.5 mg/kg/dose, three times daily.
  • Assessed toxicity and pain severity at baseline and day 14.

Main Results:

  • Two participants at 1.5 mg/kg/dose experienced dose-limiting toxicities (sedation, anorexia).
  • Nine participants completed the treatment; five showed pain improvement, including two with complete resolution lasting over four weeks post-treatment.
  • One participant discontinued due to new pain.

Conclusions:

  • Oral ketamine at 0.25-1 mg/kg/dose appears safe for 14-day administration in pediatric chronic pain patients.
  • Further research into optimal dosing and long-term effects is warranted.
Abstract

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