Repeated intravenous ketamine benefits patients with treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update August 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1002/pu.30161 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIntravenous ketamine given twice a week or three times a week produced sustained antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression, compared with placebo. Because both dosing frequencies showed similar results, a twice-weekly regimen may be a suitable initial repeated-dose approach for this population.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with treatment-resistant depression |
| Intervention | Intravenous ketamine |
| Key finding | Intravenous ketamine administered twice a week or three times a week produced sustained antidepressant effects compared with placebo in patients with treatment-resistant depression. |
Abstract
Intravenous ketamine administered twice a week or three times a week resulted in sustained antidepressant effects compared with placebo in a group of patients with treatment‐resistant depression, a new study has found. Based on similar results between the two dosing frequencies, the researchers indicated that a twice‐weekly regimen could serve as an initial repeated‐dose strategy in this population.