• Full Story

Suspicion aroused over hospital Ketamine use

Email
Print

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 1:11p.m.

The hospital says there is confusion surrounding what 'off-label' testing means (Reuters file)

The hospital says there is confusion surrounding what 'off-label' testing means (Reuters file)

The Health and Disability Commission has decided not to investigate Dunedin Hospital after claims patients were given Ketamine without consent.

The Commission received a complaint from a mental health trust, alleging the drug was trialled on depressed patients.

It is used by vets as a horse tranquiliser, and is rarely used to treat depression.

The hospital's Chief Medical Officer Dick Bunton says patients were asked for their permission first.

“Ketamine has been around for such a long, long time, that all of its effects are very well known. The issue here is not one of safety, but one of people becoming confused about what ‘off-label’ means”.

Dick Bunton says an off-label trial means the drug has been used and detailed in literature, but not properly trialled.

RadioLIVE

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

22 Jul 2011 12:43p.m.

Maccles wrote:

Hi Neutron. It's great that ketamine works for you and that you were informed properly. Was this in New Zealand?

19 Jul 2011 09:36p.m.

Macadder wrote:

Sounds like the usual media beat up; over something that looks a little different painted to look like a big cock up- with aggrieved victims and the usual suspects handwringing in Wellington - echos of the "News Of the World": Shame on the paper involved.

17 Jul 2011 06:28p.m.

Andy wrote:

I don't know that the big fuss is about. If it works for chronic depressive patients, shouldn't they be allowed the choice to use it? Is this mental health trust getting to make all the decisions for people who could benefit? It sounds like they should stay out of it, and let consumer choice rule.

16 Jul 2011 05:21p.m.

key wrote:

Hey Neutron, I am a chronic depressive,can you tell me over this format how you had the K and how many times as I am sick of all the ODs and general destruction of life also.The average joe doesn't realise how horrible the black dog that waits for us is.

16 Jul 2011 10:26a.m.

neutron wrote:

i have taken ketamine for depression and it works well for me.it has made me go from severely suicidal to being pretty average in mood. i fully support its use but as i have been informed and studies have shown, it doesnt work for everyone. im one of the lucky ones that gets a great effect from it. it certainly beats ODs and numerous hospital admissions, the results are pretty instantaneous. it is only used in "treatment resistant depression" and it was made very clear to me that it was off label and a very new thing. i fully support its use in treatment resistant depression.

15 Jul 2011 07:21p.m.

bukster wrote:

I've heard of ketamine. It's used as a recreational drug in some circles. However, it's supposed to be somewhere between alcohol and datura. It turns people into stumbling zombies who can barely tell up from down and have to crawl around on their hands and knees. That doesn't sound like much fun to me.

15 Jul 2011 06:07p.m.

key wrote:

Ketamine is a recreational drug which is usually snorted and users get in a K hole ,if they have a high dose,where they become blabbering mindless lunatics.Check you tube.I recall the days when alcoholics were treated with legal pure liquid LSD in NZ psych hospitals.I found a drug manual with the information in it , way back....of course, they preferred LSD to the alcohol, mostly...