Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression
Psychiatric Annals June 1, 2024 Syed Iqbal, Ronak Patel, Zeshan Barlas et al.
Ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has antidepressant and antisuicidal effects shown over the past two decades and is effective for treatment-resistant depression. The FDA has approved intranasal (S)-ketamine with an oral antidepressant for this condition. However, the need for in-office administration and monitoring limits accessibility, and concerns about risks and abuse potential remain. Despite these drawbacks, its potential efficacy makes it a useful treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression and suicidality.