Marongiu, Sabrina and van Eijk, Maarten and Gresnigt, Femke M J and Croes, Esther A and Franssen, Eric J F (2025) Rising incidence of recreational ketamine use: clinical cases and management in emergency settings. Toxicology reports, 14, 101940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.101940.
External website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
The recreational use of ketamine has risen significantly in the Netherlands, particularly among young adults in nightlife settings. This trend has been accompanied by an increase in first aid incidents involving ketamine, often in combination with other substances such as alcohol or MDMA, leading to heightened toxicity. Acute intoxication with ketamine manifests through symptoms like agitation, hallucinations, nausea, tachycardia, and hypertension, while frequent use is associated with long-term complications, including ketamine-induced uropathy. Although ketamine is not currently included in standard toxicological screenings, its detection can aid in diagnosing mixed intoxications, excluding alternative causes, and facilitating referral to follow-up care. Routine inclusion of ketamine in toxicological screening could improve diagnostic precision and better address the health risks associated with its growing prevalence.
B Substances > CNS stimulants > MDMA / Ecstasy
B Substances > New (novel) psychoactive substances > Aminoindanes / Arylalkylamines / Arylcyclohexylamines > Ketamine
F Concepts in psychology > Behaviour > Risk-taking behaviour
G Health and disease > Substance use disorder (addiction) > Multiple substance use (Poly-drug /Poly-substance)
HA Screening, identification, and diagnostic method > Physical / medical screening, assessment and diagnostic method
VA Geographic area > Europe > Netherlands
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