A recent review suggests a single intravenous ketamine infusion can provide rapid relief for patients with severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
Researchers from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine analyzed 26 clinical trials involving over 1,100 patients. Compared to a placebo, a single treatment significantly reduced depression in just four hours and dramatically lowered suicidal thoughts within 24 hours.
Patients reported fewer depressive symptoms after a week and reduced suicidal thoughts for up to a month. However, the effects are short-lived, with most patients relapsing after a single infusion, necessitating repeated sessions.
"When all existing treatment options fail, patients with severe depression could consider ketamine infusions," said lead author Taeho Greg Rhee. "This is still a safer option when compared to electroconvulsive therapy."
Common side effects like headaches, nausea, and dissociation were temporary. Rarer serious events included hospitalization and suicide attempts, but most were unrelated to ketamine.
Experts caution that ketamine should only be administered in closely monitored settings. "For a small subset of patients, intravenous ketamine can be genuinely lifesaving," said Dr. Lama Bazzi. It is not FDA-approved for depression but can be used off-label.
Study limitations include potential bias from patients aware they received the drug and small sample sizes.