Low Dose Ketamine Used for Acute Pain Management in the Emergency Department

Abstract

The use of opioid analgesics has created an opioid addiction epidemic in the United States and around the world. One of the main responsibilities of the emergency department is to address acute pain. In this paper we examine the use of low dose ketamine as a safe substitute for opioid analgesics. Types of pain are identified using prior established taxonomy, followed by discussing types of management and treatments. The opioid epidemic and its societal implications are considered. We also examine the side effects of ketamine and the use of ketamine as an adjunct to analgesics used for pain control. Recommendations and considerations for the use of ketamine are suggested, and a low dose ketamine administration sample hospital policy is reviewed.