Riluzole for relapse prevention following intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant depression: a pilot randomized, placebo-controlled continuation trial
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology March 17, 2009 Sanjay J. Mathew, James W. Murrough, Marije Aan Het Rot et al. 295 citations
A single intravenous dose of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) produced rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant major depression, with 65% responding at 24 hours and 54% at 72 hours. Pretreatment with lamotrigine did not reduce ketamine's mild side effects or improve its antidepressant action. In a subsequent randomized trial, riluzole (100-200 mg/day) failed to prevent relapse over 32 days; 80% of riluzole-treated patients relapsed versus 50% on placebo, leading to early termination. Ketamine appears well-tolerated and rapidly effective, but better strategies to sustain its benefits are needed.