Ketamine as Potential Treatment for Postpartum Depression: A Narrative Review
David Chen‐li, Leanna M.W. Lui, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Orly Lipsitz, Kayla M. Teopiz, Roger Ho, Maj Vinberg, Marina Golts, Muhammad Youshay Jawad, Yena Lee, Flora Nasri, Hartej Gill, Roger S. McIntyre
Annals of Clinical Psychiatry November 1, 2022 DOI: 10.12788/acp.0082 via OpenAlex
Summary
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe mood disorder affecting mothers and children, and there is a need for rapid-acting treatments. This narrative review examined the available literature on ketamine for PPD, searching databases for preclinical studies, clinical trials, and reviews. Four clinical trials were identified. The review suggests that ketamine may be a favorable option due to its antidepressant and analgesic effects, short infusion time, and rapid clearance from the mother's bloodstream. However, evidence is insufficient to support its routine use, highlighting the need for more clinical research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Narrative review Randomized Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Depression economics Postpartum depression Psychology Psychiatry |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key finding | Ketamine may be a favorable option for treating postpartum depression due to its antidepressive and analgesic effects, short infusion time, and rapid clearance from the maternal bloodstream, but there is insufficient evidence to support its use. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe, debilitating mood disorder with consequences for both mothers and children, highlighting the need for rapid-acting and effective treatments for PPD. The aim of this narrative review is to synthesize the available literature on the administration of ketamine for PPD and propose ketamine as a viable and advantageous treatment. METHODS: A search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycInfo, and Embase databases from inception to October 10, 2021 for preclinical studies, interventional studies (ie, open-label and randomized controlled trials), as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the use of ketamine in postpartum populations. Completed and ongoing clinical trials were identified on ClinicalTrials.gov. RESULTS: Four clinical trials were identified. Results from this review support additional investigation into ketamine as a potential treatment for PPD. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine may be a favorable option for treating PPD due to its antidepressive and analgesic effects, short infusion time, and rapid clearance from the maternal bloodstream. However, there is insufficient evidence to support its use in this population, underscoring the importance of additional clinical research investigating ketamine for PPD.