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September 27, 2025Open Access

Ketamine as an Optional Treatment in Chronic Pain - A Review

MSMathias SpitaleriUniversity of Gdańsk KKKarol KanonUniversity of Gdańsk FKFilip KielochMedical University of Lublin

Key Points

Ketamine shows promise in managing chronic pain, reducing reliance on traditional opioids, which pose addiction risks.
It has been effective in treating conditions such as neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome.
Current evidence reviews mechanisms of action and safety profiles of ketamine in chronic pain management.
Further exploration is necessary to understand ketamine's limitations and long-term effects on pain relief.

Abstract

Chronic pain is a pervasive and debilitating condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Traditional methods of pain management, including the use of opioids, often fall short in providing adequate relief and come with significant risks, such as dependency and tolerance. As a result, there has been growing interest in exploring alternative treatments, with ketamine emerging as a promising option. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has shown potential in alleviating various types of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, cancer-related pain, and pain associated with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Aim of study: This review aims to examine the current evidence on the efficacy of ketamine in chronic pain management, exploring its mechanisms of action, clinical applications, safety profile, and potential limitations. Methods and materials: PubMed and Scopus databases were used to search for topic treated articles.

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