Today, for many patients, TKA surgery is also their first encounter with opioids. That introduction can lead to unintended consequences. While improved opioid stewardship continues to lower the risk, the surest way to reduce the risk of opioids, including side effects, is to not need them in the first place. Oral ketamine could provide a breakthrough in reducing the need for opioids. [...]

Today, for many patients, TKA surgery is also their first encounter with opioids. That introduction can lead to unintended consequences. While improved opioid stewardship continues to lower the risk, the surest way to reduce the risk of opioids, including side effects, is to not need them in the first place. Oral ketamine could provide a breakthrough in reducing the need for opioids. [...]

“I’m an emergency doctor. I’ve worked in many ERs, and I’ve faced the opioid epidemic over the last 15 years. When trying to find a pain medication that is powerful, we just don’t have many options. We have NSAIDs, but they’re limited in what they do. Opiates have a whole host of other problems. Ketamine is a great option and very popular. It’s a dissociative anesthetic used for moderate sedation. In low doses — subdissociative doses — it’s used for pain medications, which can reduce the number of opioids used.” [...]

By Pat Anson, PNN Editor

Ketamine has become a trendy alternative treatment for pain, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). But to get it, you’ll need to get a ketamine infusion, injection or nasal spray – usually under strict medical supervision.

But someday you may be […]