Review questions sustained efficacy of esketamine in treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31310 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults with treatment-resistant depression |
| Intervention | Esketamine |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine |
| Key findings | Esketamine shows only modest efficacy for treatment-resistant depression, with benefits fading after the first few days, and no effect on suicidality. |
Abstract
Results of a systematic review and meta‐analysis suggest that esketamine has only modest efficacy in the treatment of adults with treatment‐resistant depression, with initial improvement diminishing after the first few days. The results also suggest no effect of esketamine on suicidality.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on esketamine for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparative efficacy of racemic ketamine and esketamine for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis Adults with unipolar or bipolar major depression | 2020 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 1,877 |
| The acute antisuicidal effects of single-dose intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine in individuals with major depression and bipolar disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants in randomized controlled trials of ketamine for suicidal ideation | 2020 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 197 |
| Efficacy of Esketamine Augmentation in Major Depressive Disorder Patients with major depressive disorder who are treatment-resistant or acutely suicidal | 2020 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 774 |
| Esketamine Treatment for Depression in Adults: A PRISMA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder | 2025 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF RACEMIC KETAMINE AND ESKETAMINE FOR DEPRESSION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS Adults with unipolar or bipolar major depression | 2022 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 2,903 |