Low-dose ketamine for acute pain: A narrative review.
The American journal of emergency medicine December 1, 2024 Robert G Fuller, Evan M Kikla, Andrew P W Fawcett et al. 12 citations
Low-dose ketamine is a safe and effective option for treating acute pain in prehospital and emergency department settings. A review of 64 studies found that low-dose ketamine is non-inferior to opioids when used alone and provides an opioid-sparing effect when used as an adjunct. Doses below 0.5 mg/kg were not associated with significant side effects. Available in intramuscular, intravenous, and intranasal formulations, low-dose ketamine can serve as an alternative to opioids or be used alongside them to reduce opioid exposure.