DEA - FDA Issues Warning Over Ketamine Misuse DEA Extends Telemedicine Flexibilities | Benzinga
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert on the dangers of self-treating psychiatric disorders with unapproved compounded versions of ketamine and ketamine-based drugs whether modified or tailored for specific patient needs.
In view of the anesthetic’s rising popularity as an alternative mental health treatment, the FDA’s alert cites a report of adverse incidents and warns that the unsupervised use of these substances increases risks of unfavorable psychiatric reactions and other health problems.
Specifically, it notes an April-reported case of a patient with PTSD who took oral compounded ketamine outside of healthcare supervision and subsequently experienced slowed breathing, also known as respiratory depression, and a higher level of ketamine in blood than usual ...