Safety and Tolerability of Intramuscular and Sublingual Ketamine for Psychiatric Treatment in the Roots to Thrive Ketamine Assisted Therapy Program
European Psychiatry March 1, 2023 V. W. L. Tsang, B. Tao, S. Dames et al. 1 citation
In a community-based ketamine-assisted therapy program (Roots to Thrive), 128 participants received 351 intramuscular injections (average 103 mg) and 96 sublingual doses (average 277 mg) over 12 weeks, alongside group therapy. Elevated blood pressure occurred transiently in about 12% more sessions than at baseline, with similar rates for both administration routes. Nausea was the most common side effect (12% of sessions), followed by headache (3%), vomiting (2.5%), and dizziness (seven sessions). Past psychedelic use or psychiatric diagnosis did not predict adverse events, but male participants had significantly less nausea. The program had no dropouts, suggesting good safety and tolerability.