Ketamine for unipolar depression: A systematic review of efficacy and safety.
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists June 1, 2025 Tharshanan Edwin Peiris, Amrit Pokhrel, Yuvaraj Paudel 2 citations
Ketamine, originally an anaesthetic, can rapidly reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts within hours in people with treatment-resistant unipolar depression, with effects lasting up to one week. A systematic review of 44 studies found common side effects include temporary dissociation, elevated blood pressure, nausea, and dizziness, but long-term safety remains uncertain. The evidence suggests ketamine is a promising rapid-acting antidepressant, though optimal treatment protocols and long-term safety need further study before widespread clinical use.