Efficacy of Ketamine Infusion for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Patients with Chronic Pain: a Narrative Review.
Current pain and headache reports December 15, 2025 Alan D Kaye, Madison C Wolf, Sarah I Dufour et al. 2 citations
Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, shows promise as an adjunctive treatment for patients with both chronic pain and opioid use disorder. It blocks NMDA receptors, reducing neural excitability and promoting neuroplastic changes that may help manage pain and reduce opioid dependence. Clinical studies suggest ketamine can reduce pain severity, decrease opioid consumption, and alleviate withdrawal symptoms in select populations. However, evidence is limited by small sample sizes, non-standardized protocols, and short follow-up periods. Side effects include dissociative symptoms, sympathomimetic activity, and potential for misuse, requiring careful patient selection and monitoring. Ketamine is a promising option in multimodal care when conventional therapies fail, but further research is needed.