POSTER PRESENTERS

Ketamine is quickly opening its spot as a therapeutic option in the management of treatment-resistant depression, yet its abuse continues to be a worldwide issue. Because the duration of the antidepressant effect of ketamine is limited, re-dosing it after some weeks is necessary. If applying ketamine infusions either once or more often, clinicians need to consider the addictive potential and the risk of inducing psychosis-like symptoms. The use of ketamine analogues is also a point of concern. Intoxications involving new psychoactive substances and poly-substance use are common. The aim of this systematic review was to outline the cases of overdoses and deaths related to the use of ketamine and/or its analogues reported in the scientific literature. The following databases were searched: PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL. Data collection was performed in July 2019. With a sample of 34 articles, eighteen describe fatal cases and sixteen describe overdoses. Importantly, some cases of over-sedation (i.e. cases that were not connected to drug abuse) were included as overdose cases. The over-sedation cases described in this study ratify the fact that dying from an exclusive ketamine overdose is not easy neither common. Although prescribers must remain vigilant, this should not deter appropriate prescribing, just like heroin abuse should not deter the adequate use of morphine. Finally, prevention and harm minimisation campaigns are needed to alert people about the potential damages caused by the acute and chronic use of ketamine and its analogues.