Ketamine to prevent suicide?

Dr Linda Calabresi

writer

Dr Linda Calabresi

GP; Medical Editor, Healthed

Dr Linda Calabresi

Ketamine’s controversial role in treating depression has been boosted by a new randomised controlled trial showing it significantly and rapidly reduces suicidal ideation.

Among a group of 80 severely depressed individuals already on pharmacotherapy, the US researchers found that a single, subanaesthetic infusion of ketamine was associated with a greater reduction in clinically significant suicidal ideation within 24 hours than a control midazolam infusion.

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