Citation

Horowitz MA, Moncrieff J. Br. J. Psychiatry 2021; 219(5): 614-617.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.2020.89

PMID

32456714

Abstract

Esketamine has been licensed for 'treatment-resistant depression' in the USA, UK and Europe. Licensing trials did not establish efficacy: two trials were negative, one showed a statistically significant but clinically uncertain effect, and a flawed discontinuation trial was included, against Food and Drug Administration precedent. Safety signals - deaths, including suicides, and bladder damage - were minimised.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; suicide; Suicide; ketamine; depression; Antidepressive Agents; Ketamine; antidepressants; Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant; Esketamine