Ketamine shows promise for treating PTSD and depression symptoms, study finds
The drug ketamine has shown promising results in reducing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in patients, according to a new meta-analysis published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
Ketamine, an anesthetic that is sometimes used as a substance of abuse, is increasingly being explored as a treatment for a range of mental health conditions.
The analysis, conducted by a team of researchers, examined six randomized controlled trials involving 259 patients with moderate to severe PTSD. In all trials, about half of the patients were injected with ketamine, while the rest received either salt water or the drug midazolam.
The results showed that patients receiving ketamine saw a reduction in their PTSD symptoms by about 25% both at one day and one week after therapy. However, if patients received repeated injections over four weeks, the reduction in PTSD symptoms declined to 12%. The reduction of depression symptoms was also significant but more modest.
While the benefits of a single ketamine injection occur rapidly, the best regimen to maintain these benefits by reinjecting ketamine has not been determined.
PTSD affects about 13 million Americans in a given year and is caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Many combat veterans, as well as survivors of physical assault, natural disasters, child abuse, and sexual abuse, suffer from the disorder.
Trauma-focused psychotherapy is the recommended treatment for PTSD, but it can take several weeks to see benefits, and not all patients respond. For those who do not respond, antidepressants such as paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine are recommended as alternatives, but they may take weeks to begin working.
Ketamine, on the other hand, seems to begin working almost immediately, making it a potential effective bridge to reduce patients’ symptoms until other treatments take effect.
However, the big unknown with using ketamine for PTSD and depressive symptoms is how often the injections are needed. Additionally, ketamine can be abused, and the product may not be approved by the Food and Drug Administration if purchased from unlicensed pharmacies or online stores. This could potentially harm or even kill patients.
Overall, the findings of the analysis suggest that ketamine may be a promising treatment for PTSD and depression symptoms, but more research is needed to determine the best regimen for maintaining these benefits and to ensure its safe use.
The study was conducted by C. Michael White, a Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Connecticut, and the article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.