Potential effect of ketamine in treatment for dextromethorphan use disorder exploding in Japanese young population.
Asian journal of psychiatry September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104164 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn Japan, more people are misusing the over-the-counter drug dextromethorphan (DXM), often to cope with severe trauma-related and mood symptoms. These patients have substance use disorders and self-medicate with DXM. Because ketamine has similar psychopharmacological effects to DXM, the authors propose that ketamine could serve as an alternative pharmacological treatment for these patients.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Ketamine |
| Keywords | Dextromethorphan Over-the-counter medication Self medication Trauma Mental-health depression |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Ketamine may be a useful alternative pharmacological treatment for patients with dextromethorphan use disorders who self-medicate for trauma-related and mood symptoms. |
Abstract
In Japan, the landscape of clinical practice for substance use disorder is changing significantly, primarily due to an increase in patients using over-the-counter drugs. A major concern is the rising number of patients misusing dextromethorphan (DXM). These patients with DXM use disorders often have severe trauma-related and mood symptoms, and therefore try to cope with those symptoms by self-medicating with DXM. In this article, we propose that ketamine, which has similar psychopharmacological effects to DXM, may be a useful alternative pharmacological treatment for these patients.