Add-on intravenous ketamine eliminates treatment lag period in severe non-treatment-resistant major depression: Rapid antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects – A randomized controlled trial

This small double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=40 adults with severe, non-treatment-resistant major depression) tested four add-on intravenous ketamine infusions (35mg/70kg) alongside usual antidepressant treatment. Day-12 response was reported in 11/19 ketamine patients versus 6/21 placebo patients; depression scores were lower from day 2. Suicidal-ideation scores favoured ketamine during treatment, but between-group differences in depression and suicidal ideation were not significant at four-week follow-up.