Ketamine is effective in treating depression and acute suicidal ideation

It is a grim statistic that suicide rates in the U.S. are on the rise. A recent clinical review paper published by researchers from Larkin University College of Pharmacy and University of California San Diego reports that suicide is now considered the 10th leading cause of death for all ages, and the rate has increased every year from 2000 to 2014 among both women and men and in every age group except those aged ≥ 75 years.

About 90% of deaths by suicide are by persons who have a treatable psychiatric disorder, most commonly a mood disorder, such as depression. Most studies show that standard antidepressant therapies—including cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, case management, antidepressant medications, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)—do not provide rapid or significant relief of suicidal ideation.

Recently, ketamine has demonstrated efficacy in treating both depression and acute suicidal ideation. Effects are noted within 5 minutes of administration if given by infusion.