Effects of Ketamine on the Bladder

Ketamine is a drug often used by doctors and vets as an anaesthetic and pain reliever.

However, recreational ketamine use has increased in recent years, with many using ketamine as a party drug.

The 2010/11 British Crime Survey estimates that around 714,000 people aged 16-59 are estimated to have taken ketamine in their lifetime.

Ketamine was reclassified from a Class C to Class B drug in 2014.[1]

When abused or taken in the wrong doses, ketamine can cause medical problems.

One of these issues is damage to the urinary tract.

One study found that as high as 90% of ketamine users in Hong Kong experienced urinary tract problems.[2]

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is known as a ‘dissociative anaesthetic’, because it makes patients – humans and animals – feel detached from their pain and environment.[3]

What are the Legitimate Uses of Ketamine?

Anaesthesia
Sedation
Analgesia
Treatment of mental health disorders

Why do People Abuse Ketamine?

People take ketamine to get high because it can stimulate happiness, relaxation and hallucinogenic effects. However, it can also cause anxiety and confusion.[4]

Ketamine’s recreational drug names include:

Special K
K
Ket
Kitkat
Ketters
Super K
Horse trank

How do People Abuse Ketamine?

Ketamine is used by:

Snorting – a powder
Injecting – a liquid

How Dangerous is Ketamine?

When prescribed by a doctor, ketamine can be used safely.

However, Ketamine can cause a range of health complications when taken in large doses or for long periods of time.

One of these is bladder issues.

How Does Ketamine Affect the Bladder?

Ketamine-induced cystitis symptoms include:

Chronic inflammation of the bladder
Dysuria – stinging or itching
Increased urinary frequency – urinating more often

Cystitis can develop at any time, but abusing ketamine makes this more likely.

What is Ketamine Bladder Syndrome?

Ketamine bladder syndrome is a chronic condition that develops from heavy ketamine use.

When this happens, the bladder walls become rigid and unable to stretch.

This is more severe, and is caused by:

Bladder ulceration – ulcers that form on the bladder walls resulting in ulcerative cystitis
Shrunken and inflamed bladder – a small or swollen bladder
Bleeding from the urothelium – a wound on the urinary tract
Urinary tract infections – a bacterial infection in the bladder or urinary tract
Obstruction of or a dilated biliary tree – a blockage or widening of the vessels that direct secretions from the liver, gallbladder and pancreas[5]

What Are the Symptoms of Ketamine Bladder?

Symptoms include:

Significantly reduced bladder capacity – the bladder cannot hold as much urine resulting in urinary frequency
Blood in your urine – this can look brownish orange
Pelvic pain – in the abdominal region, sometimes during urination
Erectile dysfunction – inability to get or maintain an erection
Cramps – known as ‘K cramps’[6]

How Is Ketamine Bladder Diagnosed?

The effects of ketamine on the bladder are a relatively new discovery, so diagnosis may vary.

If you have been abusing ketamine, doctors will look for inflammation with the following techniques.[7]

CT Scan

A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of your body.

Before a CT scan, you may be asked to:

Eat a restricted diet
Take medicine
Not eat or drink for several hours before the scan
Remove anything that has metal like jewellery or zips[8]

Bladder Biopsy and Cystoscopy

A cytoscopy is where a doctor takes a look at your bladder and urethra with a small camera which is passed through the body.

A bladder biopsy is where a small piece of tissue is removed from the bladder to be sent off for testing.

Before the operation, you may be asked to:

Stop smoking – this reduces the risks of breathing problems
Lose weight – this improves the chances of successful anasthesia
Ensure your teeth are secure – this is to ensure you can safely use a breathing tube

Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a procedure where high-frequency sound waves are used to create a picture of your bladder.

The probe can be either passed over the outside of your body, or inserted inside.

Before an ultrasound, you may be asked to:

Ensure your bladder is full
Not eat or drink for several hours before the scan[9]

Urine Sample

If you’re asked to provide a urine sample, you’ll be given a small tube to urinate into. Once this has been handed in, it will be sent off to a lab for testing.

How Much Ketamine Can I Take Without Damaging My Bladder?

The amount you would need to consume varies from person to person.

There is evidence to suggest that even small amounts of recreational use can affect the bladder.

Is There a Cure for Ketamine Bladder?

As ketamine bladder is still being researched, there is no set effective treatment plan.[10]

Timely treatment is crucial, as the longer you continue to damage your bladder, the less chance you have of recovery.[11]

Cessation of ketamine use (quitting ketamine) is the best way to protect yourself from further bladder damage.

Cystitis-like symptoms are likely to go away once you’ve stopped using ketamine.[12]

If you continue to take ketamine, you could cause irreversible damage.

You may be offered some medication to treat any pain you’re having.

Controlling the Pain and Discomfort Caused by Ketamine Bladder

As ketamine itself is a pain relief medication, you may be reliant on this to numb the pain, but this can only cause more damage.

Finding an alternative pain relief medication to ease the symptoms of ketamine bladder is very important, as it will allow you to detox from ketamine and break the cycle.

You may be prescribed:

For mild pain – paracetamol or nefopam
For moderate pain – buprenorphine or morphine patches[13]

Other Treatments for Ketamine Bladder

Anti-inflammatory drugs – to reduce swelling
Urothelium protective agents – intravesical sodium hyaluronate, chondroitin sulphate
Botulinum toxin-A – to improve polyuria, nocturia, and dysuria – to increase bladder capacity[14]

Surgery for Ketamine Bladder

Surgical intervention is only used in the most severe cases.[15]

Getting Help for Ketamine Bladder

Make an appointment with your GP. The NHS and private doctors will be able to give you an initial assessment and arrange further tests.

Be honest about your ketamine use, as this will allow them to diagnose and treat you more accurately.

Once tested, your doctor can provide more information about the causes and severity of your bladder problems.

What Else Causes Bladder Problems?

Nerve damage – your brain struggles to pass and receive messages to see if your bladder is empty or full
Health changes – ageing, obesity, infections, kidney stones
Lifestyle factors – eating habits, certain medications, drinking habits, smoking and lack of exercise
Women’s health – menopause, pregnancy and childbirth[16]

How Can I Keep My Bladder Healthy?

Drink plenty of water – this helps to flush out toxins
Use the bathroom every 3-4 hours when it becomes full – avoid emptying it when it’s not full or holding it for too long
Limit caffeine and alcohol – these are diuretics which cause urgent need to urinate
Sit down on the toilet seat – relax your muscles to allow the bladder to fully empty without rushing
Exercise your pelvic floor muscles – These are known as Kegels, and help you hold your bladder[17]

What is Ketamine Addiction?

Ketamine is not a physically addictive drug, which means you won’t suffer any physical symptoms.

Ketamine does cause psychological dependence, which means you may experience strong cravings and mood changes when you quit.

What’s Ketamine Withdrawal Like?

You may experience:

Depression
Anxiety
Cravings[18]

How Can I Quit Ketamine?

Addiction can feel overwhelming, but recovery is possible.

In 2021-22, 126,118 people left a drug or alcohol treatment system in the UK. 49% of those successfully completed their treatment, free from dependence.[19]

NHS Ketamine Addiction Treatment

Make an appointment with your GP, or browse the NHS’s addiction help resources here.

The NHS offers outpatient rehab treatment, and it’s also possible to get a referral to a private inpatient unit.

Private Ketamine Addiction Treatment

Going private for rehab gives you more choice, better resources and a quicker turnaround.

Inpatient rehabs are residential facilities that can offer 24-hour security, to ensure you remain drug-free and well supported.

Private rehabs can offer detox, therapy, and aftercare.

Statutory-Funded Services

There are many charities and organisations throughout the UK that offer support groups and services completely free of charge for drug addiction recovery.

These include:

Narcotics Anonymous – a 12-step programme of group sessions
Change Grow Live – support and recovery tools
Humankind – psychosocial interventions, advice and counselling

How Can Rehab 4 Addiction Help?

We’re a team of people in recovery offering advice and referrals to top rehabs across the UK.

References

Boris MacKey

Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.