Opiate Suicide Study in Patients With Major Depression
To explore whether intravenous ketamine followed by buprenorphine produces more rapid and sustained anti-suicidal effects than ketamine followed by placebo; randomized, parallel-group study (n=60).
Details
Randomized, quadruple-blind, parallel-group Phase III trial in adults with major depressive disorder and elevated suicidal ideation. All participants receive a single 0.5 mg/kg IV ketamine infusion; randomisation assigns daily buprenorphine (0.2–0.8 mg/day orally dissolving tablet) or matching placebo for 4 weeks.
Primary outcomes assess anti‑suicidal effects over the treatment period and maintenance to four weeks; secondary analyses include relationships between ketamine/metabolite blood levels, pupillary changes, buprenorphine levels, sleep and pain measures and suicidal rating changes.