Ketamine Beats Lidocaine Early but Not at Six Months
This retrospective comparison suggests intravenous ketamine yields a faster analgesic response in chronic peripheral neuropathic pain than lidocaine, but the two converge by 2 to 6 months while ketamine carries a heavier adverse-effect burden.
Ketamine offers early pain relief for chronic neuropathic pain.
Intravenous ketamine and lidocaine are alternatives for managing chronic peripheral neuropathic pain, especially in refractory cases. Ketamine showed superior short-term relief at 2 weeks, but both drugs were equally effective at 2 and 6 months. Ketamine had more side effects. Offers insight into analgesic outcomes for ketamine versus lidocaine, but adverse effects of ketamine may impact long-term use in practice. Ketamine gives quicker relief initially, similar efficacy to lidocaine in midterm.
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Authors:Sucu MG, Yavuz Mollavelioğlu T, Akyüz Yildirim A, Çelebi N
Citation:Sucu MG, Yavuz Mollavelioğlu T, Akyüz Yildirim A, et al. Short- and Midterm Analgesic Outcomes of Ketamine Versus Lidocaine Infusion in Chronic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Retrospective Study. Pain research & management. 2026;2026(1):e7897619. doi:10.1155/prm/7897619
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Executive Summary
Study Design
Patient Population
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Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile
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