Ketamine Treatment for Fibromyalgia

Ketamine hydrochloride is a prescription injectable medication that is typically used as an anesthetic prior to surgery. In low doses, doctors sometimes use ketamine hydrochloride to treat the pain caused by fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain throughout your body.

Significance

Approximately 50 percent of patients who take ketamine for fibromyalgia experience a reduction in pain, reports Dr. Richard N. Podell, M.D. of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Function

Ketamine works by blocking receptors in your body known as NMDA receptors, which sense pain. Some doctors believe that fibromyalgia is caused by heightened sensitivity of these receptors.

Considerations

A 2006 study conducted at the McGill University found that fibromyalgia was related to levels of a brain chemical dopamine rather than overly-sensitive NMDA receptors, calling into question the effectiveness of ketamine treatment for fibromyalgia. Since this study, the benefits of ketamine treatment have been widely debated.

Risks

Side effects of ketamine include increases in heart rate and blood pressure, double vision, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Some patients develop life-threatening allergic reactions to ketamine, and the drug poses a risk for hallucinations and delusions, reports RxList.

Warning

Ketamine has the potential to cause physical or emotional dependence when used long-term, especially in people with a history of substance abuse.

References

• RxList: Ketamine
• McGill University: Ketamine and Fibromyalgia
• University of Medicine and Dentistry: Fibromyalgia