Effective doses of esketamine oral or esketamine intranasal for the prevention of preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients: A randomized double-blind dose-finding trial
Medicine – March 06, 2026
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Single-dose esketamine significantly reduces preoperative anxiety in children, with an effective dose of 8.2 mg/kg orally and 2.2 mg/kg intranasally. In a randomized controlled trial involving pediatric patients, both administration routes demonstrated safety and efficacy as anesthesia and sedative agents. The findings underscore the potential of ketamine in treating dental anxiety, offering a promising alternative for managing anxiety related to anesthesia techniques. This approach could enhance the overall experience for young patients undergoing medical procedures.
Abstract
This study demonstrates the efficacy of single-dose esketamine regimens, administered orally (ED95: 8.2125 mg/kg; 95% CI: 7.4250-8.4597 mg/kg) and intranasally (ED95: 2.1770 mg/kg; 95% CI: 2.0952-2.1958 mg/kg), in mitigating preoperative anxiety within a pediatric population. These findings highlight the safety and efficacy of esketamine for this patient group.