The Pharmacokinetics of Ketamine in the Breast Milk of Lactating Women (KRF-LAC)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04285684 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : February 26, 2020
Results First Posted : December 13, 2021
Last Update Posted : December 13, 2021
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Ketamine Lactation | Drug: ketamine in lactation | Early Phase 1 |
Quantification of Ketamine in Breast Milk at 3 hour Intervals up to 30 hours-- obtained from lactating women who receive 2 different Intramuscular injections of ketamine on two separate days at least 5 days apart: 0.5mg/kg and 1.0mg kg.
Women are required to have been breast feeding for at least 3 months and be healthy and on no medications. Support is provided for the entire time at the site and for any at home pumping. During the period of ketamine's influence, subjects are reclining and with 2 Investigators. The initial subject's data will determine the length of time for pumping--most likely 12 hours as ketamine and the active principle metabolite have half-lives of less than 3 hours. Determination of concentration of ketamine in breast milk is being done at the UCSF Clinical lab with quantification of metabolites that are inactive as well. This research is of benefit by providing lactating women information on potential exposure of infants/children to ketamine. It will serve as a guide as KRF conducts research on postpartum depression and for women at large using ketamine for psychiatric indications.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 4 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | 4 subjects receiving 0.5mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg of ketamine at least 5 days apart with collection of breast milk by pumping at 3 hour intervals |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Basic Science |
Official Title: | The Pharmacokinetics of Ketamine in the Breast Milk of Lactating Women: Quantification of Ketamine and Metabolites |
Actual Study Start Date : | December 20, 2019 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | January 5, 2021 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | January 5, 2021 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Ketamine, lactation
Lactating women--4 subjects, 2 dosage format: ketamine 0;5mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg IM at least 5 days apart.
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Drug: ketamine in lactation
2 dose IM by weight and assessing concentrations of ketamine in expressed milk at intervals
Other Name: Assessing concentration of ketamine in breast milk at intervals |
- Ketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of .5mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Ketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Norketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of .5mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Norketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Dehydronorketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of .5mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Dehydronorketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Hydroxynorketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of .5mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Hydroxynorketamine Concentration in Breast Milk, up to 12 Hours at 3 Hour Intervals, Following an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 3, 6, 9, and 12 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Ketamine Concentration in Breast Milk at 24 and 30 Hours After an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 24 and 30 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 24 and 30 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Norketamine Concentration in Breast Milk at 24 and 30 Hours After an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 24 and 30 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 24 and 30 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Dehydronorketamine Concentration in Breast Milk at 24 and 30 Hours After an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 24 and 30 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 24 and 30 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng
- Hydroxynorketamine Concentration in Breast Milk at 24 and 30 Hours After an IM Administration of 1mg/kg Ketamine [ Time Frame: 24 and 30 hour collections ]
Quantitative analysis of the concentration of ketamine and its metabolites in breast milk (collected by pumping breast milk into containers at 24 and 30 hours post ketamine IM administration) was performed at the Clinical Medicine and Toxicology Laboratory at UCSF School of Medicine. Sample aliquots were frozen in our conventional freezer at the clinic where the sessions took place, labelled with a HIPAA compliant code which blinded the lab to all patient data.
The limits of sensitivity for the quantification of each substance were:
Ketamine: 0.25 ng Norketamine: 0.25 ng Dehydronorketamine: 0.1 ng Hydroxynorketamine: 0.25 ng

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 21 Years to 45 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Female |
Gender Based Eligibility: | Yes |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:• Age 21-45
- Postpartum with established lactation for a minimum of 3 months.
- Ability to pump breast milk and to provide a reservoir for infant feeding prior to the study; or acceptance of bottle feeding by the infant.
- In good health-normal BP/P; afebrile-temp ascertained; review of systems by MD; absence of diagnosed illnesses.
- Not pregnant--Pregnancy tested for before each administration by urine assay.
Exclusion Criteria:• Hypertension with a BP greater than 145/90
- Subjects must be off all psychiatric medications specifically; medications and supplements, or evaluated by the PI for non-interference
- No alcohol or other substances such as marijuana for 72 hours or more.
- Weight <50kg or > 90kg.
- Pregnancy

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04285684
United States, California | |
Ketamine Research Foundation | |
San Anselmo, California, United States, 94960 |
Principal Investigator: | Philip E Wolfson, MD | Ketamine Research Foundation |
Documents provided by The Ketamine Research Foundation:
Responsible Party: | The Ketamine Research Foundation |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT04285684 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
KetamineResearch |
First Posted: | February 26, 2020 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | December 13, 2021 |
Last Update Posted: | December 13, 2021 |
Last Verified: | October 2021 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | Publication of data in peer reviewed journal including all data; and available from KRF by request |
Supporting Materials: |
Study Protocol Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) Informed Consent Form (ICF) Clinical Study Report (CSR) |
Time Frame: | 6 months to 1 year |
Access Criteria: | Public and researchers Health care professionals |
URL: | http://www.ketamineresearchfoundation.com |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Product Manufactured in and Exported from the U.S.: | No |
ketamine lactation postpartum depression breastfeeding infant exposure |
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