Ketamine as a possible cause of cirrhosis in a patient with chronic pain
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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats
Published on: August 1, 2018
1Department of Gastroenterology, South Tyneside District Hospital, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK.
Abstract:
Ketamine has been typically administered in short-term, few doses in the clinical setting of acute pain. Its hallucinogenic side effects have made it popular as a recreational drug. Reports of urological, biliary and liver abnormalities have been reported, mainly in cases of abuse. It is now increasingly used for chronic pain conditions, and here we report liver abnormalities and ultimately cirrhosis in an adult on regular ketamine for chronic facial pain. Abnormal liver function tests were detected incidentally, and with no other cause for liver disease found, liver biopsy was performed. This showed fibrosis with incomplete cirrhosis.
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