Off-label Use of Lamotrigine and Naltrexone in the Treatment of Ketamine Use Disorder: A Case Report.
Journal of addiction medicine Tucker Avra, Felipe Vasudevan, Rohit Mukherjee et al. 2 citations
A 32-year-old man with ketamine use disorder experienced severe cravings that persisted after residential and intensive outpatient treatment. After resuming use following a period of abstinence, he was started on lamotrigine and naltrexone for depressive symptoms and cravings. This combination caused nausea and reduced hallucinogenic effects while on ketamine and substantially decreased his cravings, helping him achieve longer-term abstinence alongside dialectical behavioral therapy, family support, and 12-step programming. Ketamine use disorder is poorly described but may become more prevalent as US ketamine use increases. Combining treatment of depressive symptoms and cravings with lamotrigine and naltrexone may be a promising pharmacotherapeutic strategy, though more research is needed.