Archive \ Volume.16 2025 Issue 4

Efficacy of Oral and Sublingual Ketamine Formulations for Analgesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pamela D Moore , Raj Boopathy , Kinam Park*✉
  1. Institute for Psycholinguistics and Digital Health, United States of America.
  2. Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, United States of America.
  3. University of California, San Francisco, United States of America.

Abstract

This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of oral and sublingual ketamine for pain relief. A comprehensive literature search was performed across four databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials were selected that examined oral or sublingual ketamine for pain control in either inpatient or outpatient environments, relative to any other oral or sublingual treatment, including placebo. 21 studies were incorporated into the systematic review, all involving oral ketamine, with one study directly contrasting oral and sublingual forms. Among these, 12 trials addressed oral ketamine for procedural pain, where 10 demonstrated that oral ketamine outperformed the comparator in alleviating procedural discomfort. 2 trials assessed oral ketamine for postoperative pain, both indicating a decreased need for rescue analgesics versus placebo. 5 trials explored oral ketamine for chronic pain, yielding varied outcomes. The other 2 studies consisted of one evaluating different oral ketamine dosages and the other comparing oral versus sublingual administration. 15 studies qualified for the meta-analysis. Of these, 7 studies compared oral ketamine with placebo and revealed that oral ketamine significantly outperformed placebo in pain reduction (P < 0.01). The remaining eight compared oral ketamine with other oral agents, including methadone, codeine, midazolam, and dexmedetomidine, and found no notable advantage for oral ketamine in pain mitigation (P = 0.18). Findings indicate that oral ketamine serves as an efficacious analgesic option, particularly in procedural contexts.


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Vancouver
Moore PD, Boopathy R, Park K. Efficacy of Oral and Sublingual Ketamine Formulations for Analgesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Arch Pharm Pract. 2025;16(4):1-11. https://doi.org/10.51847/Y02YjbkVsm
APA
Moore, P. D., Boopathy, R., & Park, K. (2025). Efficacy of Oral and Sublingual Ketamine Formulations for Analgesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Archives of Pharmacy Practice, 16(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.51847/Y02YjbkVsm

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