Ketamine for unipolar depression: A systematic review of efficacy and safety.
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| Title: | Ketamine for unipolar depression: A systematic review of efficacy and safety. |
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| Authors: | Edwin Peiris, Tharshanan (AUTHOR), Pokhrel, Amrit (AUTHOR), Paudel, Yuvaraj (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Australasian Psychiatry. Jun2025, Vol. 33 Issue 3, p376-388. 13p. |
| Subjects: | Ketamine, Mental depression, Treatment effectiveness, Antidepressants, Safety, Adverse health care events |
| Abstract: | Background: Unipolar depression is a prevalent mental health disorder with persistent, treatment-resistant symptoms. Traditional antidepressants take weeks to show effects, underscoring the need for faster alternatives. Ketamine, originally an anaesthetic, has emerged as a rapid-acting antidepressant. Objective: This systematic review evaluates ketamine's efficacy and safety in unipolar depression. Methods: A literature search (January 2000–May 2024) in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library included RCTs, CCTs, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies on ketamine or esketamine in formally diagnosed individuals. Study characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and adverse events were analyzed, with quality and bias assessments. Results: Across 44 studies, ketamine significantly reduced depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation within hours, particularly in treatment-resistant cases, with effects lasting up to 1 week. Common side effects included transient dissociation, elevated blood pressure, nausea, and dizziness, while long-term safety remains uncertain. Conclusions: Ketamine shows promise as a rapid antidepressant for treatment-resistant unipolar depression. However, long-term safety and optimal treatment protocols require further research. Careful clinical integration with monitoring is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Australasian Psychiatry is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: Unipolar depression is a prevalent mental health disorder with persistent, treatment-resistant symptoms. Traditional antidepressants take weeks to show effects, underscoring the need for faster alternatives. Ketamine, originally an anaesthetic, has emerged as a rapid-acting antidepressant. Objective: This systematic review evaluates ketamine's efficacy and safety in unipolar depression. Methods: A literature search (January 2000–May 2024) in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library included RCTs, CCTs, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and observational studies on ketamine or esketamine in formally diagnosed individuals. Study characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and adverse events were analyzed, with quality and bias assessments. Results: Across 44 studies, ketamine significantly reduced depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation within hours, particularly in treatment-resistant cases, with effects lasting up to 1 week. Common side effects included transient dissociation, elevated blood pressure, nausea, and dizziness, while long-term safety remains uncertain. Conclusions: Ketamine shows promise as a rapid antidepressant for treatment-resistant unipolar depression. However, long-term safety and optimal treatment protocols require further research. Careful clinical integration with monitoring is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10398562 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10398562251328805 |
