Ketamine Injection Used Orally

Abstract

Ketamine has been used parenterally for pain unresponsive to opioids, including neuropathic pain, and has also been used as an alternative analgesic agent after surgery. Although oral administration of ketamine has been used for some time as a single dose, it has not been given by this route on a regular basis. The use of ketamine administered orally is described for two patients with severe neuropathic pain who were intolerant of, or whose pain was unrelieved by, more commonly used agents. Pain relief was achieved without significant side effects.