Pharmacotherapy: Ketamine and Esketamine.
Anna Feeney, George I Papakostas
The Psychiatric clinics of North America June 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.02.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Ketamine Esketamine |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Antidepressants |
| Key findings | Ketamine and esketamine have rapid-onset antidepressant effects and may be considered for treatment-resistant depression; intranasal esketamine is approved in the US and EU, while intravenous ketamine is often used off-label without standard operating procedures. The authors note that repeated administrations and concurrent standard antidepressants may maintain effects, and that long-term safety and efficacy require further study. |
Abstract
Ketamine and esketamine have rapid-onset antidepressant effects and may be considered for the management of treatment-resistant depression. Intranasal esketamine has regulatory approval in the United States and European Union. Intravenous ketamine is often administered off-label as an antidepressant, though no standard operating procedures exist. Repeated administrations and the use of a concurrent standard antidepressant may maintain antidepressant effects of ketamine/esketamine. Possible adverse effects of ketamine and esketamine include psychiatric, cardiovascular, neurologic and genitourinary effects, and the potential for abuse. The long-term safety and efficacy of ketamine/esketamine as antidepressants require further study.