Ketamine—New Possibilities in the Treatment of Depression: A Narrative Review
Mateusz Kowalczyk, Edward Kowalczyk, Paweł Kwiatkowski, Łukasz Łopusiewicz, Monika Sienkiewicz, Monika Talarowska
Life November 5, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3390/life11111186 via OpenAlex
Summary
The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has increased depression rates, affecting about one third of the global population. S-ketamine, approved by the FDA in March 2019 for treatment-resistant depression, offers rapid antidepressant effects, with peak effectiveness at 24 hours and a potential reduction in suicidal thoughts. However, further research is needed on its adverse effects, particularly in individuals prone to psychosis or substance use.
Study at a glance
| Population | global population affected by depression due to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic |
|---|---|
| Key finding | S-ketamine provides a quick antidepressant effect and may reduce suicidal thoughts. |
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic has led to an increase in the number of people with depression. Symptoms related to the mental sphere (mainly depression and anxiety) may be experienced by one third of the worldwide population. This entails the need for the effective and rapid treatment of depressive episodes. An effective drug seems to be s-ketamine, which was accepted in March 2019 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of drug-resistant depression. This drug provides a quick antidepressant effect with maximum effectiveness achieved after 24 h. It also appears to reduce the occurrence of suicidal thoughts. However, research into undesirable effects, especially in groups of people susceptible to psychotic episodes or those who use alcohol or psychoactive substances, is necessary.