BMC psychiatry
January 7, 2025
Katelyn Halpape, Raelle Pashovitz, Annabelle Wanson et al.
4 citations
For patients with treatment-resistant depression who respond to intranasal racemic ketamine in the hospital, continuing the same treatment as an outpatient maintenance therapy appears feasible and well tolerated. In a small pilot program involving five patients who completed up to 14 treatment sessions over 192 days, depressive symptoms decreased or remained stable and quality of life increased or remained stable. The average dose was 220 mg (range 100 to 400 mg). No serious adverse events occurred; reported side effects included anxiety and nausea, and slight blood pressure increases required no intervention. Because of the very small sample, no conclusions about effectiveness can be drawn, and further research is needed.
Journal of Affective Disorders Reports
April 28, 2025
Jason Perepelkin, Polixeni Hantjidis, Kirsten Robison et al.
3 citations
People with treatment-resistant depression who received intravenous ketamine at a clinic in Saskatchewan, Canada, reported significant improvements in mood, outlook, and daily functioning, along with psychological relief and altered perceptions during treatment. Barriers included high cost, limited accessibility, and stigma. The clinic environment and psychosocial factors also influenced outcomes. Despite financial burdens, many experienced meaningful benefits, including reduced suicidality. The findings underscore the need for supportive care settings, better access, and further research on individual predictors of response and cost-effectiveness.
Research Square
Katelyn Halpape, Raelle Pashovitz, Annabelle Wanson et al.
A small pilot program evaluated a hospital-to-outpatient intranasal racemic ketamine maintenance therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Five adult inpatients who had responded to intranasal ketamine in hospital continued treatment at a community centre, completing up to 14 sessions over 192 days. Depressive symptoms decreased or stabilized, and quality of life increased or stabilized. No serious adverse events occurred; mild side effects included anxiety and nausea, and slight blood pressure increases did not require intervention. The authors conclude the therapy appears feasible and well tolerated, but limited effectiveness conclusions can be drawn from this small study.