Ketamine and Esketamine for Bipolar Depression
Kristin Raj
February 27, 2025 DOI: 10.64239/pi-qt7204 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with bipolar depression |
| Interventions | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key findings | Ketamine and esketamine show promise for bipolar depression with a 40% response rate and 13% full remission, but 30% of patients experienced hypomania or mania during maintenance treatment. |
Abstract
Ketamine and esketamine show promise in bipolar depression, with 40% of patients responding to twice-weekly treatment. Full remission occurs in 13%. No immediate manic switches occurred during intensive treatment, but 30% experienced hypomania/mania during maintenance phase. Most episodes were mild. Consider involving family members in monitoring mood changes. Patients with severe mania or rapid cycling history may not be ideal candidates.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on esketamine for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Long-term safety of ketamine and esketamine in treatment of depression | 2022 | Review | |
| Ketamine, Esketamine, and Arketamine: Their Mechanisms of Action and Applications in the Treatment of Depression and Alleviation of Depressive Symptoms. | 2024 | Review | |
| Variations in BDNF and Their Role in the Neurotrophic Antidepressant Mechanisms of Ketamine and Esketamine: A Review. Patients with depression | 2024 | Narrative review | |
| The Possible Application of Ketamine in the Treatment of Depression in Alzheimer’s Disease | 2022 | Review |