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Low dose of esketamine after childbirth helps mothers at risk of depression

The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update August 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31189 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics News report Peer reviewed
Population Women with prenatal depressive symptoms
Intervention Esketamine
Dose single low dose
Duration 42 days postpartum
Topics Depression Esketamine
Key points Women with prenatal depressive symptoms who received a single low dose of esketamine shortly after childbirth showed a substantially lower incidence of a major depressive episode at 42 days postpartum than those receiving placebo. Neuropsychiatric adverse events occurred more frequently with esketamine, but no severe adverse events were reported.

Abstract

Women with prenatal depressive symptoms who received a single low dose of esketamine shortly after childbirth showed a substantially lower incidence of a major depressive episode at 42 days postpartum than women receiving placebo, a new study has found. Neuropsychiatric adverse events occurred more frequently in the esketamine group, but no severe adverse events were reported.