Citation

Liao Y, Tang YL, Hao W. Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse 2017; 43(5): 495-504.

Affiliation

Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital , Central South University, The China National Clinical Research Center for Mental Health Disorders, National Technology Institute of Psychiatry, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province , Changsha , Hunan , China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00952990.2016.1278449

PMID

28635347

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ketamine is an anesthetic commonly used in low-income countries and has recently been shown to be effective for treatment-resistant depression. However, the illicit manufacturing, trafficking, and nonmedical use of ketamine are increasing globally, and its illicit use poses major public health challenges in many countries.

OBJECTIVES: To review the nonmedical use of ketamine in selected countries and its regulatory control.

METHODS: We conducted a review of literature identified from searches of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (1979-2016) and PubMed databases, supplemented by additional references identified by the authors. Special attention was given to the regulation of ketamine.

RESULTS: Illicit manufacturing, trafficking, and use of ketamine appear to have begun on a large scale in several Asian nations, and it has subsequently spread to other regions. Regulations governing availability of ketamine vary across countries, but there is a clear trend toward tighter regulations.

CONCLUSIONS: As nonmedical use of ketamine and its harmful consequences have worsened globally, stricter controls are necessary. Appropriate regulation of ketamine is important for international efforts to control ketamine's cross-border trafficking and its nonmedical use.

Language: en

Keywords

Ketamine; nonmedical use; regulatory status