Efficacy and safety of ketamine and esketamine in reducing the incidence of postpartum depression: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
BMC pregnancy and childbirth February 6, 2025 Moaz Yasser Darwish, Abdallah A Helal, Yousif Ahmed Othman et al. 8 citations
Both ketamine and esketamine reduce the incidence of short-term postpartum depression (PPD), while only esketamine reduces long-term PPD. A meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 4,389 pregnant women found that ketamine lowered short-term PPD risk by 28% and esketamine by 57%. Esketamine alone reduced long-term PPD risk by 56%. Low doses (under 0.5 mg) were as effective as high doses for both short- and long-term prevention. Side effects including dizziness, blurred vision, vomiting, and hallucinations occurred more often with ketamine or esketamine than with placebo.