Ketamine infusion therapy for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation: Nursing care and considerations.
Nursing December 1, 2025 Rebecca Ann Ivory, Kathryn M Pate, Brentyn M Jones et al.
Major depressive disorder affects around 332 million people globally, and about 53% of those diagnosed receive pharmacologic treatment, including ketamine. Nurses need to understand ketamine and other emerging therapies for chronic depression and acute suicidal thoughts. This article describes best nursing practices for using ketamine in behavioral health settings, particularly off-label ketamine infusion continuation therapy for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and acute suicidal ideation and behaviors. It emphasizes whether ketamine is used as an adjuvant or primary treatment.