Overview of Ketamine Guidelines in Psychiatric Disorders
International Journal of Psychiatry – September 26, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ketamine demonstrates significant potential in treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), particularly for individuals with suicidal ideation. In clinical settings, it has been effective for about 70% of patients who did not respond to traditional treatments like fluoxetine. While primarily used for anesthesia, ketamine's unique mechanism offers a different approach to managing psychiatric disorders, including Bipolar Disorder and PTSD. Its use is typically considered after standard therapies fail, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in patient care.
Abstract
Ketamine has anti depressive characters and approved by (FDA) for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia, Ketamine has been incorporated into the management of psychiatric disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) especially with suicidal ideation or attempting, and of label in management of Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Substance Use Disorders (SUD).Intravenous ketamine regimen is not a first-line management for psychiatric disorders and considered by the patient’s interdisciplinary team work after failure of standard treatment. Ketamine mechanism of action is different from existing treatments and has demonstrated efficacy in improving people with Major Depression Disorder where conventional first line management as antidepressants, psychotherapy, have not be fully effective. In this paper we discussed all aspects of ketamine Protocol and guidelines usages in psychiatric.