Case Report: Ketamine for Pain and Depression in Advanced Cancer
Atayee, R., Bruner, H. C., Sexton, J. D.
This case report explores the potential of ketamine (35mg/70kg) for pain and depression in advanced cancer. It demonstrated how a patient suffering from neuropathic pain from advanced cancer and severe depression showed a dramatic decrease in pain and resolution of severe depression symptoms post an intravenous infusion of ketamine.
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with advanced cancer often suffer from both severe pain and severe symptoms of depression. Use of traditional antidepressants is often limited by the short prognosis associated with advanced cancer.Case report: We present the case of a patient with neuropathic pain from advanced cancer and severe depression that responded dramatically to an intravenous infusion of ketamine resulting in decreased pain and resolution of severe depression symptoms.