Role of concomitant benzodiazepines, lithium, and lamotrigine in modulating the antidepressant effects of subcutaneous esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depressive episodes: A retrospective naturalistic study.
Journal of affective disorders August 1, 2026 João Paulo Atidio, Rodrigo Simonini Delfino, Igor Saque Garios et al.
In patients with treatment-resistant depression receiving subcutaneous esketamine over six weeks, depressive symptoms improved significantly, with MADRS scores dropping by an average of 2.82 points per week. Those also taking benzodiazepines had higher depression scores throughout treatment, while lamotrigine and lithium showed no significant effect on outcomes. No medication altered the rate of improvement over time. The findings suggest benzodiazepine use may blunt the antidepressant response to esketamine, but further prospective research is needed.