Safe Ketamine Use and Pregnancy: A Nationwide Survey and Retrospective Review of Informed Consent, Counseling, and Testing Practices.

Many women who could become pregnant receive ketamine for psychiatric conditions, but risks to a developing fetus are frequently overlooked. A survey of U.S. outpatient ketamine clinics found that fewer than half discuss pregnancy-related risks during informed consent, only 20% require pregnancy tests before treatment, and just 13.7% recommend or require contraception. A record review at one academic medical center showed all patients were tested weekly for pregnancy, but only half used contraception. The findings indicate a need for greater attention to reproductive health in ketamine treatment protocols.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: Ketamine is contraindicated in pregnancy given the lack of knowledge about potential effects on a developing fetus. This study aimed to characterize current clinical practices specific to pregnancy and reproduction related to the use of ketamine for the treatment of psychiatric illness. Methods: Online surveys were sent to outpatient ketamine clinics across the United States inquiring about practices related to pregnancy. Responses were collected between September and November 2023. Additionally, a retrospective medical record review was conducted to ascertain the frequency of pregnancy testing and contraception use with ketamine treatments administered at a large academic health system. Online, publicly available informed consent documents were also reviewed for language related to pregnancy. Results: Fewer than half of survey respondents (n = 126) discuss specific risks related to pregnancy and fetal ketamine exposure during the informed consent process. Twenty percent of clinics require pregnancy tests prior to treatment, and 10.5% require subsequent testing during treatment; however, 22.9% of clinics do not have a standard process for testing. Only 13.7% of clinics specifically recommend or require use of contraception. Retrospective record review revealed that all patients who received intravenous ketamine for psychiatric indications in an academic medical center were pregnancy tested weekly, but only half were using contraception during treatment. Conclusion: Many women with the potential to become pregnant are treated with ketamine for psychiatric illness. Results of the present study reveal that risks of fetal ketamine exposure are often overlooked, indicating a need for increased awareness about reproductive concerns when prescribing ketamine for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.