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Ketamine for Pain Management-Side Effects & Potential Adverse Events.
Cheryl A Allen1, Julius R Ivester2
1Office of Cheryl A. Allen, DNP candidate at Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Summary
Low-dose ketamine offers a nonopioid pain management option, with potential psychomimetic side effects dose-dependently managed. Careful protocols can mitigate risks, ensuring effective pain relief and patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pain Management
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ketamine, an anesthetic agent, is increasingly used at lower doses for analgesia.
- Concerns exist regarding ketamine's psychomimetic side effects, which are dose-dependent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on potential side effects and adverse events of ketamine used for pain relief.
- To evaluate ketamine as a nonopioid alternative for pain management.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and Ovid.
- Search terms included "ketamine," "ketamine infusion," "pain," "adverse events," "practice guideline," and "randomized controlled trial."
- Analysis focused on 25 full-text, peer-reviewed articles and systematic reviews after initial screening of 1,068 articles.
Main Results:
- The literature supports the use of ketamine for analgesic purposes.
- Ketamine provides a viable nonopioid option for managing certain pain conditions.
- Psychomimetic side effects are linked to dosage, with lower analgesic doses posing less risk.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare institutions should establish specific policies for ketamine administration.
- Understanding ketamine's properties allows for planned care to mitigate side effects.
- Effective pain management with ketamine is achievable through careful protocol development and risk mitigation.