Clinical applications of esketamine: Current status and future perspectives.
J Int Med Res March 29, 2026 Hui Li, Jingjing Deng, Tao Liu et al.
Esketamine, a derivative of the anesthetic ketamine, is gaining popularity in China for surgical anesthesia, pain management, and treating mental illness due to its potent analgesic and anesthetic properties. This narrative review of literature up to June 2025 summarizes its pharmacological properties, clinical uses in surgical anesthesia, perioperative analgesia, painless procedures, intensive care, emergency care, and special populations like children and obstetric patients. It also covers organ-protective effects and adverse effects. The authors conclude that esketamine offers broader and safer applications than ketamine, particularly for psychiatric disorders.