Oral ketamine for children with chronic pain: a pilot phase 1 study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether oral ketamine is safe at higher dosages for sedating children and whether it may be an option for the control of chronic pain in children.

STUDY DESIGN:

A prospective study was performed on 12 children with chronic pain to identify the maximum tolerated dosage of oral ketamine. Participants were given 14 days of oral ketamine, 3 times daily, at dosages ranging from 0.25-1.5 mg/kg/dose. Participants were assessed for toxicity and for pain severity at baseline and on day 14 of treatment.

RESULTS:

Two participants, both treated at 1.5 mg/kg/dose, experienced dose-limiting toxicities (sedation and anorexia). One participant, treated at 1 mg/kg/dose, opted to stop ketamine treatment due to new pain on treatment. Nine participants completed their course of ketamine treatment. Of these 12 children, 5 experienced improvement in their pain scores, 2 with complete resolution of pain, lasting >4 weeks off ketamine treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Oral ketamine at dosages of 0.25-1 mg/kg/dose appears to be safe when given for 14 days to children with chronic pain.

• Authors: Amy-Lee Bredlau, Michael P McDermott, Heather R Adams, Robert H Dworkin, Charles Venuto, Susan G Fisher, James G Dolan, David N Korones
• Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr) Vol. 163 Issue 1 Pg. 194-200.e1 (Jul 2013) ISSN: 1097-6833 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23403253 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase I, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Analgesics
• Ketamine

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Analgesics (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Chronic Pain (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Ketamine (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies
• Young Adult