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Patient's Distressing Ketamine Aftereffects Raise Safety Concerns

6/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A patient shared a distressing story of severe aftereffects from ketamine used during a colonoscopy. Although the FDA approved ketamine as an anesthetic in 1970, improper dosing can have perilous consequences. While low-dose oral ketamine is explored for depression, it still lacks FDA approval for this use, raising concerns about safety and regulation.

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Story summary

A patient shared a distressing story of severe aftereffects from ketamine used during a colonoscopy. Although the FDA approved ketamine as an anesthetic in 1970, improper dosing can have perilous consequences. While low-dose oral ketamine is explored for depression, it still lacks FDA approval for this use, raising concerns about safety and regulation.