Rapid and long-lasting effects of subcutaneous esketamine on suicidality: An open-label study in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Journal of psychiatric research August 1, 2024 Eduardo Igor Torquato Cardoso Lopes, Patrícia Cavalcanti-Ribeiro, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes et al. 9 citations
Subcutaneous esketamine injections given weekly for eight weeks produced a rapid and lasting reduction in suicidality among 18 adults with treatment-resistant depression. Suicidal thoughts dropped within 24 hours after the first dose and remained low throughout the eight-week treatment period. At six months after treatment ended, suicidality was still consistently lower. Clinician ratings showed significant improvement only after two sessions, and 61% of patients achieved remission from suicidal ideation. The findings suggest that weekly subcutaneous esketamine may be a cost-effective way to achieve fast and sustained anti-suicide effects, but controlled studies are needed to confirm these initial observations.