Ketamine nasal spray for refractory migraine may prove safe and effective

During this period, 242 people were prescribed a nasal ketamine spray, 169 of whom agreed to be interviewed.

Forty one (25%) and 46 (28%) patients were offered nasal ketamine spray before and after intravenous ketamine infusion, respectively; 47% never received intravenous ketamine.

Overall, they said they used the nasal spray 6 times, over an average of 10 days a month. Nearly half (49%) said the spray was “very effective” while 39.5% found it “somewhat effective.” Over a third (35.5%) said their quality of life was “much better.”

Compared with other reliever drugs, 73 (43%) thought the nasal spray was “much better” and 50 (29.5%) felt it was “somewhat better.”

Almost three quarters said they used fewer pain reliever meds when using nasal ketamine spray. At the time of the interview, almost two thirds (65%) were still using the spray.

Reference:

Real-world study of intranasal ketamine for use in patients with refractory chronic migraine: a retrospective analysis,Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine,DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2022-104223