Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Parental Ketamine for Treatment of Depression: Clinical Treatment Protocol
Joseph C.W. Tham, André Do, Jason Fridfinnson, Reza Rafizadeh, Jacky TP Siu, George P. Budd, Raymond W. Lam
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Clinical protocol |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Racemic ketamine |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key points | The protocol proposes that subcutaneous and intramuscular racemic ketamine are clinically feasible alternatives to intravenous ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, potentially improving access to this treatment, based on the established rapid antidepressant effects of IV ketamine. |
Abstract
Intravenous (IV) ketamine has been shown to have rapid antidepressant effects in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This treatment protocol describes a clinical method for use of subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) racemic ketamine in individuals with TRD, developed by a team at the University of British Columbia (UBC), UBC Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital. The use of SC and IM ketamine may be more feasible in clinical settings than IV ketamine and provide better access to this novel treatment.