Repeated intravenous ketamine benefits patients with treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update August 1, 2016 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1002/pu.30161
Summary
Intravenous ketamine given twice or three times a week showed lasting antidepressant effects compared to placebo in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The similar outcomes for both dosing frequencies suggest that a twice-weekly schedule may be an effective starting point for treatment in these patients.
Study at a glance
| Population | patients with treatment-resistant depression |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Intravenous ketamine administered twice or three times a week resulted in sustained antidepressant effects compared with placebo. |
Abstract
Intravenous ketamine administered twice a week or three times a week resulted in sustained antidepressant effects compared with placebo in a group of patients with treatment‐resistant depression, a new study has found. Based on similar results between the two dosing frequencies, the researchers indicated that a twice‐weekly regimen could serve as an initial repeated‐dose strategy in this population.