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Is ketamine effective and safe for treatment-resistant depression?
Amanda Zorn1, Sean Linn1, Mat Jenkinson1
1Valley Family Medicine Residency, University of Washington at Valley, Renton.
The Journal of Family Practice
|July 27, 2021
Summary
Ketamine shows short-term effectiveness for depression, with intravenous (IV) ketamine offering rapid but brief relief. Nasal esketamine spray aids treatment-resistant depression but carries risks like dizziness and elevated blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on ketamine's efficacy for depression.
- Ketamine and esketamine are being investigated for mood disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of ketamine and esketamine for depression.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and small RCTs.
- Assessed depression symptom scores, response, and remission rates.
- Documented adverse effects associated with ketamine therapies.
Main Results:
- Single-dose IV ketamine significantly improved depression scores within days, lasting up to a week.
- Repeated IV ketamine showed moderate improvement over two weeks.
- Intranasal esketamine spray improved response and remission in treatment-resistant depression.
- Common side effects include confusion, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Conclusions:
- Ketamine offers potential for rapid, short-term depression symptom relief.
- Intranasal esketamine is effective for treatment-resistant depression but requires careful monitoring.
- Adverse effects necessitate consideration in clinical application.
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