Can ketamine prescribed for pain cause damage to the urinary tract?
Presentation of three palliative care patients who were given ketamine as an analgesic and subsequently developed significant and debilitating urological symptoms. In one patient there was resolution of symptoms following cessation of ketamine, but some symptoms persisted until death in the other two. Possible mechanisms for damage to the urothelium by ketamine are suggested.
Storr
T M
TM
Eden Valley Hospice, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK. teresa.storr@cumbriapct.nhs.uk
Quibell
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000700:Analgesics; D007649:Ketamine