Single-dose infusion ketamine and non-ketamine N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists for unipolar and bipolar depression: a meta-analysis of efficacy, safety and time trajectories
Psychological Medicine February 12, 2016 Taishiro Kishimoto, J. M. Chawla, K. Hagi et al. 363 citations
A single intravenous infusion of ketamine reduces depression significantly more than placebo in people with major depressive disorder or bipolar depression, with effects beginning within 40 minutes, peaking at one day, and lasting up to one week. Non-ketamine NMDAR antagonists were superior to placebo only on days 5–8. Ketamine also led to greater response and remission rates at multiple time points. Adverse effects were transient and clinically insignificant, and discontinuation rates did not differ from placebo. The review analyzed 14 randomized controlled trials involving 588 participants.