Low-dose IV infusions of ketamine are protected and efficient in treating persistent ache, a brand new research says.
Ketamine infusions as a part of complete medical ache care helped as many as 46% of sufferers enhance their bodily perform, sleep high quality and ache administration, researchers report within the journal Regional Anesthesia & Ache Medication.
“This study provides evidence for ketamine’s role in chronic pain management,” stated lead researcher Hallie Tankha, a medical ache psychologist in Cleveland Clinic’s Main Care Institute.
Ketamine is used as an anesthetic for surgical procedure and a remedy for despair, in response to Medication.com.
It isn’t an opioid, however as an alternative works by blocking a key mind chemical known as N-methyl-D-aspartate, or NMDA, in response to Johns Hopkins College. It was initially developed within the Sixties and used as a battlefield anesthetic within the Vietnam Struggle.
For the brand new research, researchers tracked greater than 1,000 sufferers who acquired a typical ketamine infusion of 0.5 milligrams for each kilogram of physique weight. The sufferers acquired the infusion over 40 minutes for 5 days in a row.
Greater than 90% of sufferers accomplished all 5 remedy days, researchers stated. The analysis group then adopted their progress.
Between 20% and 46% of sufferers achieved clinically significant enhancements of their ache, bodily perform and sleep, outcomes confirmed. These advantages held for at the very least six months, and almost half of sufferers additionally had enchancment in pain-related nervousness.
About 80% of sufferers selected to return for added infusions, researchers famous.
Ketamine remedy was additionally protected, with minimal unintended effects and no severe well being issues. Hallucinations have been the most-reported aspect impact, however they have been uncommon, the research stated.
“The findings of the research represent a meaningful step toward improved quality of life and may accelerate access to this treatment option for patients all over the country,” Tankha stated.
Extra data:
Hallie Tankha et al, Standardized ketamine infusion protocol for persistent refractory ache: a retrospective research of preliminary effectiveness and remedy completion, Regional Anesthesia & Ache Medication (2025). DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2025-106907
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Ketamine discovered to be protected, efficient for persistent ache (2025, October 10)
retrieved 10 October 2025
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