Efficacy of Low Analgesic Doses of Ketamine Associated With Opioids in Refractory Cancer Pain Treatment

About This Study

Long-term opioid therapy is commonly administered for the management of severe cancer pain. Increasing doses of opioids are titrated against effects until analgesia is achieved or intolerable adverse effects occur. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has been reported to improve analgesia in patients with uncontrolled pain receiving high doses of opioids. This study aims at determining the effectiveness of ketamine as an adjuvant to opioids in relieving cancer pain.

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• •Ketamine
• •NaCl

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Hospitalized cancer patients (informed and conscious of the cancer diagnostic)
* Undergoing opioid treatment for 15 days at least
* Refractory pain (score higher than 5 on an 10-point numerical pain rating scale)
* Ability to score pain on a numerical pain rating scale
* Patient written agreement

Exclusion Criteria:

* Ketamine contraindications
* Methadone or other NMDA-antagonist treatment
* Karnofsky index under 10
* Pregnancy

Study Locations (1)