Potential benefit of lamotrigine in managing ketamine use disorder.
Medical hypotheses February 1, 2016 Ming-Chyi Huang, Lian-Yu Chen, Chih-Ken Chen et al.
Ketamine, a derivative of phencyclidine (PCP), has dissociative, analgesic, and psychedelic properties and is increasingly used recreationally. Preclinical studies show its reinforcing effects and that long-term abuse leads to delayed, persistent upregulation of the dopamine system. Concerns exist about its addiction liability, but no effective pharmacotherapy is available for treatment-seeking abusers. Limited evidence suggests lamotrigine, which inhibits glutamate release, reduces cocaine craving. The authors propose lamotrigine may help manage ketamine use disorder and report one case where craving and use greatly reduced after taking lamotrigine. Future clinical trials are needed to understand lamotrigine's benefits.