Emerging new psychoactive ketamine analogues: patterns of use and health risks identified by the French Addictovigilance Network.
The International journal on drug policy July 1, 2026 Salim Mezaache, Liselotte Pochard, Hélène Peyrière et al.
Use of ketamine analogues, substances structurally related to ketamine, is increasing in France and poses significant health risks, some potentially exceeding those of ketamine itself. Analysis of 56 cases reported to the French Addictovigilance Network from 2017 to 2024, predominantly involving 2-fluorodeschloroketamine (2-FDCK, 52%) and N-ethyldeschloroketamine (O-PCE, 38%), showed that most users were men (93%) with an average age of 32.1 years. Adverse effects were mainly neurological and psychiatric, including dissociation and impaired consciousness. Serious cases accounted for 61%, including 11% deaths. Four user profiles emerged: recreational experimenters, self-medicating individuals, regular users, and those unintentionally exposed, often in chemsex contexts, which was frequently linked to distressing experiences.