Research and analysis

Ketamine: an updated review of use and harms

Following a 2025 government commission, the ACMD has carried out a review of the use and harms of ketamine.

• From: Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
• Published: 28 January 2026

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Ketamine: an updated review of use and harms (accessible)

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Ketamine: an updated review of use and harms

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Ketamine: an updated review of use and harms, annexes

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Details

In January 2025, the then Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention commissioned the ACMD to provide an updated harms assessment of ketamine, to consider the appropriate classification and advise on reducing harms associated with ketamine use.

This report:

• reviews the current prevalence and harms of the misuse of ketamine and its analogues in the UK
• describes legitimate uses of ketamine, esketamine and other analogues, including for treatment and research
• reviews the mechanism and prevalence of harms related to ketamine and ketamine analogues, including emerging health harms such as hepatobiliary toxicity
• describes supply and trafficking of ketamine and its analogues into the UK
• considers the appropriate control and scheduling of ketamine and ketamine analogues via the MDA and MDR, respectively
• advises on further measures to reduce the harms associated with misuse of ketamine and related compounds

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Published 28 January 2026