Effect of Concomitant Benzodiazepines on the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry November 14, 2022 Anna Feeney, Bettina B. Hoeppner, Marlene P. Freeman et al. 9 citations
Among people with treatment-resistant depression, those taking oral benzodiazepines alongside a single intravenous infusion of ketamine showed less improvement in depression scores 24 hours later if they were on higher benzodiazepine doses. The same pattern was not seen in those who received a midazolam placebo. By day 3 after the infusion, benzodiazepine use no longer affected depression scores. The findings suggest that higher doses of benzodiazepines may temporarily weaken ketamine's rapid antidepressant effect.