Duloxetine treatment of long-term ketamine abuse-related lower urinary tract symptoms: a case report

Abstract 

Objective

To report a case of ketamine abuse-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a depressed patient, who was successfully treated with duloxetine.

Case report

A 19-year-old woman with long-term (3 years) daily ketamine abuse had developed moderate depressive symptoms after forced cessation of ketamine use, together with severe LUTS of 3 months' duration. Urinary analysis and culture revealed negative results, and treatment with antibiotics was unsuccessful. Ketamine abuse-related LUTS were suspected and duloxetine was prescribed at 60 mg daily. After 2 weeks, the symptoms of depression and LUTS had been relieved.

Conclusions

Duloxetine can be considered as one of the therapeutic drugs of choice for depressive patients with significant LUTS.

Keywords: Ketamine, Duloxetine, LUTS, Lower urinary tract symptoms