Efficacy and safety of a 4-week course of repeated subcutaneous ketamine injections for treatment-resistant depression (KADS study): randomised double-blind active-controlled trial
British Journal of Psychiatry July 14, 2023 Colleen Loo, N. Glozier, D. Barton et al. 70 citations
In a phase 3 trial across seven mood disorders centers in Australia and New Zealand, subcutaneous racemic ketamine was tested against midazolam for treatment-resistant depression. With flexible dosing (0.5–0.9 mg/kg), ketamine led to a 19.6% remission rate compared to 2.0% for midazolam, a significant difference. Fixed dosing (0.5 mg/kg) showed no difference. Acute side effects, such as psychotomimetic effects and blood pressure increases, resolved within two hours. The subcutaneous route proved practical and feasible.