Comparative Effects of Repeated Ketamine Infusion Versus Intranasal Esketamine in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Retrospective Chart Review.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry September 22, 2025 Robert C. Meisner, Shuang Li, Brian W. Boyle et al. 5 citations
In patients with severe treatment-resistant depression, intravenous racemic ketamine produced a faster and larger reduction in depressive symptoms than intranasal esketamine. Over eight treatment sessions, those receiving IV ketamine showed a 49.22% decrease in depression scores, compared to a 39.55% decrease with intranasal esketamine. The IV group showed significant improvement after just one treatment, while the intranasal group required two treatments. Both treatments were effective, but IV ketamine was associated with greater overall efficacy and more rapid response.