Suicidal ideation following ketamine prescription in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder: a nation-wide cohort study.
Translational psychiatry August 9, 2024 Yiheng Pan, Maria P Gorenflo, Pamela B Davis et al. 14 citations
Ketamine prescriptions are linked to a lower risk of suicidal thoughts in people with recurrent major depressive disorder compared to other common antidepressants. Analyzing electronic health records from over 500,000 patients, the risk of suicidal ideation was 37% lower within the first week, 33% lower within the first month, and 22% lower over nine months. The protective effect was strongest in adults over 24, females, males, and White patients. This real-world evidence suggests ketamine's long-term benefits for reducing suicidal ideation, though optimal dosing and mechanisms need further study.