Ketamine hurts your bladder, makes you pee more

Publicly released:
New Zealand
Photo by Daniel Foster (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Photo by Daniel Foster (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Recreational ketamine use is rapidly rising in Aotearoa, with young people typically snorting the drug in powdered form. Alongside the drug's rise in popularity, two Kiwi urologists have noticed increasing rates of "ketamine bladder syndrome". They say that this condition can cause intense pain as well as an increased need to use the loo, and a less faithful ability to "hold it". If unchecked, it can lead to permanent bladder damage.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Recreational ketamine use in New Zealand is increasing. This increased use will be associated with more patients presenting with ketamine bladder syndrome. This syndrome is a condition that leads to significant urinary symptoms and can progress to irreversible bladder damage. Early diagnosis and ketamine cessation is critical to managing this condition. Other interventions are predominantly for symptomatic management.

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Research Pasifika Medical Association Group, Web page
Journal/
conference:
NZMJ
Organisation/s: Canterbury District Health Board (CHDB)
Funder: No competing interests listed.
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