IV ketamine staves off suicide in the short term: study
New placebo-controlled trial shows two infusions a day apart leads to full remission in more patients at day three
More patients with severe suicidal ideation achieve full remission in the short term with intravenous ketamine than those not treated with the drug, reports a new placebo-controlled trial
However, the French researchers caution that the potential for abuse and lack of longer-term benefit may limit the drug’s use for this indication.
The study involved 156 patients (median age 40 and about 30%, male) with severe suicidal ideation who were randomised to receive two 40-minute infusions of IV ketamine (0.5mg/kg) or placebo at baseline and 24 hours later, in addition to usual treatment.
Participants were also stratified by diagnosis for bipolar, depressive, or other disorders, reported the BMJ research paper.
