Battling cancer is a difficult and demanding process with many side effects. One of the most common is pain, which can at times be overwhelming. Your oncologist will help you explore different pain management options, potentially including ketamine. While research is ongoing, there have been some promising results, so consider the potential advantages below.

What to Know About Ketamine & Cancer Pain Management

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic used in a hospital setting to help patients manage pain. At the high doses administered for surgical purposes, it safely induces loss of consciousness. In low dosages, it also has applications for managing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental illnesses, though more research is ongoing to prove its efficacy and safety. As with other analgesics, such as opioids, there is potential for abuse, so it is only legally available in controlled settings with close medical supervision. 

Can It Help With Cancer-Related Pain?

Acute and chronic pain are both issues for many people living with cancer. Either may be related to the tumor itself, treatment, or both. Suffering can interfere with eating, sleep, and general quality of life. Common palliative pain management techniques include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. According to recent studies, low levels of ketamine administered intravenously may be effective by inhibiting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which play an important role in transmitting pain, and by stimulating opioid receptors. Ketamine may also complement other methods of care. Additional research is required to gather improved and more comprehensive data, but if you feel that the methods you’ve tried haven’t been or are ceasing to be effective, talk to your care team about this option. 

What Are the Side Effects? 

Ketamine infusion therapies come with side effects of their own, including hallucinations, paranoia, dizziness, memory problems, and increased blood pressure. Some of these can be mitigated with other medications, such as low doses of benzodiazepines. Since this is a relatively new treatment, the long-term effects are not well understood. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your medical history and current circumstances to decide if the treatment is safe for you. 

Ketamine Center of Connecticut in Milford, CT, is proud to offer ketamine infusion therapy as a supplemental treatment to many health issues. From pain management to PTSD, depression, and mental health issues, their skilled team will help you explore different options to alleviate what you’re experiencing. Call (203) 701-6388 to schedule a consultation and visit their website to learn more about their services.