An Update on the Efficacy and Tolerability of Oral Ketamine for Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis of oral ketamine for major depression (10 studies; meta-analysis of three RCTs, N=161) found a significant antidepressant effect (SMD −0.75). The paper also summarises tolerability data but emphasises that the evidence base is small and further high-quality trials are needed.
Authors
- Mark Andrew Frye
Published
Abstract
Background
Intravenous Ketamine has shown robust antidepressant efficacy although other routes of administration are currently needed. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of oral ketamine for depression.
Methods
A comprehensive search of major electronic databases from inception to April 2020 was performed. Studies of oral ketamine for depression, from case series to randomized clinical trials, were eligible. Randomized controlled trials were included in a meta-analysis, focusing on response, remission, time to effect, and side effects.
Results
A total of 917 articles were identified with 890 studies screened, yielding a total of 10 studies included in our systematic review.Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (N = 161, mean age 37.9 ± 9.5 years, 58.6% females) were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis suggested a significant antidepressant effect of oral ketamine (SMD: −0.75; 95% CI: −1.08, −0.43; p
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Study Details
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- APA Citation
Nuñez, N. A., Joseph, B., Pahwa, M., Seshadri, A., Prokop, L. J., Kung, S., Schak, K. M., Voort, J. L. V., Frye, M. A., & Singh, B. (2025). An Update on the Efficacy and Tolerability of Oral Ketamine for Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 50(4), 137-163. https://doi.org/10.64719/pb.4376
Cited By (2)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Hassan, K., Struthers, W. M., Sankarabhotla, A. et al. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2022)
de Mendoça Lima, T., Visacri, M. B., Aguiar, P. M. · European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2021)
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