Ketamine overdose: A case series from a referral poison center in Iran

Abstract

Ketamine, primarily utilized as an analgesic agent, has gained attention for its diverse applications, including its use as an antidepressant. However, there has been a concerning rise in ketamine misuse in Asia particularly Southeast Asian countries, as a recreational drug. This study aims to analyze the emergence of ketamine abuse in Tehran, Iran, specifically focusing on cases reported at Loghman Hakim Hospital Poison Center (LHHPC). Over the past five years, LHHPC recorded a total of 13 patients admitted with the final diagnosis of ketamine toxicity. We evaluated various parameters including age, dosage, history of habitual abuse, prior addiction issues, time from ingestion to admission, and the duration of hospitalization. Notably, there was a higher prevalence of smoking (p-value: 0.1) and alcohol consumption (p-value: 0.75) in females compared to males. Furthermore, a notable prevalence of a prior history of depression was observed among patients admitted due to ketamine misuse, with a more pronounced occurrence in females (71.4 %) compared to males (50 %). This is the first retrospective case series shedding light on ketamine abuse in Iran. Our study offered valuable insights into the correlation between a history of depression and ketamine misuse and additionally supported findings from existing reviews and case series. This research emphasizes the importance of reporting ketamine abuse cases by various centers to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of ketamine abuse in Iran.