A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders

Ketamine can produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with mood and anxiety disorders that were previously resistant to treatment. However, existing studies have relatively small sample sizes, lack longer-term data on efficacy, and provide limited data on safety. Despite these limitations, ketamine is increasingly used off-label for mood and other psychiatric disorders. This review and consensus statement provides an overview of the data, highlights limitations, and offers suggestions to facilitate evidence-based clinical decision-making and patient safety.

Study at a glance

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Several studies now provide evidence of ketamine hydrochloride's ability to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with mood and anxiety disorders that were previously resistant to treatment. Despite the relatively small sample sizes, lack of longer-term data on efficacy, and limited data on safety provided by these studies, they have led to increased use of ketamine as an off-label treatment for mood and other psychiatric disorders. OBSERVATIONS: This review and consensus statement provides a general overview of the data on the use of ketamine for the treatment of mood disorders and highlights the limitations of the existing knowledge. While ketamine may be beneficial to some patients with mood disorders, it is important to consider the limitations of the available data and the potential risk associated with the drug when considering the treatment option. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The suggestions provided are intended to facilitate clinical decision making and encourage an evidence-based approach to using ketamine in the treatment of psychiatric disorders considering the limited information that is currently available. This article provides information on potentially important issues related to the off-label treatment approach that should be considered to help ensure patient safety.