Ketamine Cystitis in a Female Patient Ketamine Therapy for Treatment Resistant Depression – Case Report

Ketamine can cause ulcerative cystitis, a bladder condition with lower urinary tract symptoms and kidney damage, in over 25% of regular recreational users. This complication had not been reported in therapeutic use for depression until now. A 28-year-old woman started on ketamine for depression developed cystitis, confirmed by urine tests. This is the first reported case of ketamine-induced cystitis from treatment-dose ketamine for antidepressant therapy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Ketamine has been shown to be a novel and exciting antidepressant medication in patients with treatment-resistant depression. A complication commonly seen in frequent and heavy recreational use of ketamine is ulcerative cystitis, which presents with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and upper renal tract damage, seen in over 25% of regular users (3, 4). Although KIC is a recognised complication in recreational use of ketamine, its occurrence in therapeutic use for depression has so far not been reported. The exact pathogenesis of ketamine induced cystitis is currently unknown, making treatment and prevention much more difficult. Early diagnosis of ketamine induced cystitis and immediate cessation of ketamine use has been shown to improve adverse urinary tract symptoms and prevent further damage. We present a case of a 28-year-old female who was started on ketamine treatment for depression, who developed symptoms of cystitis, which was confirmed by urine microscopy, culture and analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ketamine-induced cystitis in a patient receiving treatment-dose ketamine for antidepressant therapy.