Side-effects associated with ketamine use in depression: a systematic review.

Abstract

This is the first systematic review of the safety of ketamine in the treatment of depression after single and repeated doses. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Databases and identified 288 articles, 60 of which met the inclusion criteria. After acute dosing, psychiatric, psychotomimetic, cardiovascular, neurological, and other side-effects were more frequently reported after ketamine treatment than after placebo in patients with depresssion. Our findings suggest a selective reporting bias with limited assessment of long-term use and safety and after repeated dosing, despite these being reported in other patient groups exposed to ketamine (eg, those with chronic pain) and in recreational users. We recommend large-scale clinical trials that include multiple doses of ketamine and long-term follow up to assess the safety of long-term regular use.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: Ketamine for depression ↓Opposes

  After acute dosing, psychiatric, psychotomimetic, cardiovascular, and other side effects were more frequently reported with ketamine than placebo, with selective reporting and limited long-term safety data.

  Synthesized October 22, 2026

Comparable studies

Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine for depression, most cited first.