Recreational ketamine use can lead to irreversible bladder damage.

Summary

Regular ketamine use can shrink bladder capacity to as little as 10% of normal size, causing severe urinary problems. New Zealand doctors report a concerning rise in young patients with bladder dysfunction linked to recreational ketamine use. The damage can be permanent, with some cases requiring complete bladder removal. Early symptoms include frequent urination and pain, often progressing to chronic bladder problems if use continues.

Abstract

An increasing number of young patients with severe bladder overactivity syndrome potentially caused by recreational ketamine use has been treated in our department. Ketamine has become a popular and increasingly used recreational drug in New Zealand. Ketamine bladder syndrome has been reported internationally; however, local New Zealand data do not exist. It can lead to irreversible damage to the bladder, and internationally, surgical procedures like cystectomy and urinary diversion or augmentation cystoplasty have been reported as necessary treatments.

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