NEW research shows that the tablet form of ketamine could treat severe depression, offering an alternative to current therapies.
Unlike injectable and nasal spray versions requiring clinician supervision, the slow-release tablet can be taken at home with minimal side effects, said researchers from UNSW Sydney, the Black Dog Institute (BDI), and other institutions.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, and led by Prof Paul Glue of the University of Otago, conducted a trial with 168 patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Patients who received the highest dose, 180mg taken orally twice a week, had the best outcomes.
Patients in this group saw an average reduction in their MADRS depression score of 14 points from a high of 30, compared to an 8-point reduction in the placebo group.
Lower doses of ketamine also showed better outcomes than the placebo.
However, further research is needed before this treatment becomes widely available.
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