Medicine
September 1, 2018
Fernanda S. Correia-Melo, Gustavo C. Leal, Michelle S. Carvalho et al.
61 citations
A protocol describes a planned randomized, controlled, double-blind noninferiority trial comparing a single infusion of esketamine (0.25 mg/kg) with racemic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) for treatment-resistant depression. The primary outcome is remission rates at 24 and 72 hours after infusion. Secondary outcomes include cognition, dissociation, and blood biomarkers. The authors state that no study has directly compared these two forms, and a head-to-head test is needed to see if esketamine is comparable in efficacy and safety.
Harvard Review of Psychiatry
March 1, 2022
Igor D. Bandeira, Daniel H. Lins-Silva, Vitor Breseghello Cavenaghi et al.
35 citations
Ketamine shows potential for fast onset of action and good tolerability in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but results have been erratic. The systematic review included nine articles: three randomized controlled trials, three case reports, two open-label trials, and one retrospective chart review. Most studies used only single-session racemic ketamine administered intravenously. No evidence demonstrates whether racemic ketamine, S-ketamine, or R-ketamine has the best efficacy, and only sparse evidence suggests combining ketamine with psychotherapy could benefit patients. Future randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with larger samples, multiple sessions, and appropriate washout periods are needed.