Ketamine for Depression in Serious Illness: Evidence, Safety, and Practical Approaches.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management August 1, 2026 Paul Noufi, Joshua B Borris, Danielle Chammas et al.
Patients with serious illnesses and short prognoses often experience depression and suicidal ideation. Traditional antidepressants are limited by delayed onset, creating a need for rapidly acting therapies. In this Palliative Care Rounds, we examine the evidence for ketamine/esketamine's efficacy as antidepressants, including evidence specific to people with serious illnesses. In psychiatric...