Post: Ketamine tablet twice a week halves depression severity

An oral, slow-release ketamine tablet reduced depression in human trials View gallery – 3 images A slow-release, twice-a-week ketamine tablet significantly reduced depression symptoms, according to the results of a clinical trial. The tablet can be taken at home without medical supervision, making it more convenient than current ketamine treatments.

Over the last 20 years, the antidepressant effects of ketamine have been well researched. However, most of the published research has been concerned with the injectable or nasal spray versions of the drug. Both require administration under medical supervision and for the patient to be monitored for two hours until side effects subside.

Now, a new study has detailed a clinical trial of ketamine given as a slow-release tablet a couple of times a week, demonstrating promising results in the treatment of severe depression using a form that can be administered at home without medical supervision.

“The kind of results we’re seeing look as good as other ways of giving ketamine and are fascinating for two reasons,” said Professor Colleen Loo, a clinical psychiatrist and researcher with the University of New South Wales Sydney (UNSW Sydney) and the Black Dog Institute (BDI). Loo has previously contributed to research on the injectable and nasal spray versions of ketamine as treatment for depression.

“First of all, there’s the practical clinical reason that this is a way of administering ketamine to treat depression that’s much easier to give,” Loo said. “Rather than having to come to the clinic and have an injection and have medical monitoring for two hours, once or twice a week, this is much more convenient and allows patients to have their treatment at home, making it as convenient as other antidepressant medications. It’s also possible that some people may respond to one approach to treatment, such as the tablet, while others respond to another, such as the injection, so having more treatment approaches is very useful.” The trial findings challenge the notion that a psychedelic experience is needed to achieve a therapeutic effect The second reason is that the trial’s findings further our understanding of how ketamine works to treat depression, […]

Ketamine tablet twice a week halves depression severity