Nebulized ketamine administration is a relatively new approach to ketamine therapy and has gained attention in recent years. While some evidence suggests that nebulized ketamine may be a safe and effective alternative to intravenous ketamine, there is limited research on its safety record regarding lung health.
One advantage to nebulization is its high bioavailability level compared to other delivery forms.
A systematic review published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management in 2020 examined the safety and efficacy of nebulized ketamine in patients with cancer-related pain. The review included seven studies with 214 patients and found that nebulized ketamine was generally well-tolerated, with only mild adverse effects reported, such as dizziness and sedation. However, the review did not specifically address the safety of nebulized ketamine in terms of lung health.
Another study published in the Journal of Anesthesia & Clinical Research in 2017 evaluated the safety and efficacy of nebulized ketamine in patients undergoing bronchoscopy. The study included 40 patients and found that nebulized ketamine was safe and well-tolerated, with no significant changes in lung function or oxygen saturation levels observed.
While these studies suggest that nebulized ketamine may be a safe and well-tolerated alternative to intravenous ketamine, more research is needed to evaluate its safety record regarding lung health.
Hui D, et al. Nebulized ketamine for management of cancer-related pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2020;59(3):662-72.
Takasaki Y, et al. Safety and efficacy of nebulized ketamine for sedation during bronchoscopy. Journal of Anesthesia & Clinical Research. 2017;8(1):685.