'More people will need stomas from ketamine abuse'

An expert at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool is warning ketamine addicts they could end up with their bladders having to be removed.

There has been a huge rise in people taking the drug, which is normally used as an anaesthetic in both human and veterinary medicine.

A specialist clinic has been set up at the hospital to help long-term users who have developed significant bladder damage - and medics have said a rise in use of the drug could lead to more people having issues.

Consultant urological surgeon Katie Moore said there had been "an explosion" of ketamine use in the last five years.

"Ten years ago I probably wouldn't see it much at all," she said.

"Now we know more about the long-term consequences and more people are coming forward admitting that they are taking it."

She said demand for their clinic was rising and, among other devastating symptoms, doctors were expecting to see an increase in young people having their bladders removed in future.

"The side effects from taking the drug can be long-lasting," she said.

"We established the dedicated clinic as a lot of these patients are young and are still using ketamine.

"I think in the future we are looking at a significant number of young people that are ultimately going to have to have their bladders removed and replaced with a stoma - which is a bag on the outside to collect the urine."

She advised anyone who thinks someone they know may be taking ketamine to be aware of the signs.

"If you think someone is going to the toilet much more frequently then they should ask the question - are you taking ketamine?"

The drug is widely used in the NHS as an anaesthetic, sedative and pain reliever, and is also commonly used in the treatment of animals such as horses.

It is used illegally due to its hallucinogenic effects.

The substance usually comes as a crystalline powder or liquid and can cause serious health problems.

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