International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
November 12, 2025
Qijing Liu, Ying Liu, Qian Fu et al.
2 citations
Ketamine and esketamine may help reduce postoperative fatigue (POF), especially after major abdominal surgeries. However, this evidence is uncertain because the studies reviewed used different designs, measured fatigue in various ways and at different times, and had small numbers of participants. More rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these effects and determine the best doses.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Qijing Liu, Ying Liu, Qian Fu et al.
2 citations
Postoperative sleep disturbance (PSD) is a common complication after surgery, caused by personal, intraoperative, postoperative, and environmental factors, and it impairs recovery and long-term prognosis. Esketamine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist and the dextrorotatory isomer of ketamine, has stronger receptor affinity, more significant analgesic effects, and better safety than ketamine. Beyond its sedative, analgesic, and antidepressant properties, emerging evidence suggests esketamine may improve PSD through various mechanisms, though existing research results remain controversial. This article reviews the latest research progress on esketamine for improving PSD, discussing its clinical efficacy and potential mechanisms to guide perioperative anesthesia management and postoperative rehabilitation.