Comparative study of esketamine and racemic ketamine in treatment-resistant depression
Medicine September 1, 2018 Fernanda S. Correia-Melo, Gustavo C. Leal, Michelle S. Carvalho et al. 61 citations
A protocol describes a planned randomized, controlled, double-blind noninferiority trial comparing a single infusion of esketamine (0.25 mg/kg) with racemic ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) for treatment-resistant depression. The primary outcome is remission rates at 24 and 72 hours after infusion. Secondary outcomes include cognition, dissociation, and blood biomarkers. The authors state that no study has directly compared these two forms, and a head-to-head test is needed to see if esketamine is comparable in efficacy and safety.