Slow-Release Ketamine Tablet Reduces Depression Levels By 50%

A clinical trial revealed that a slow-release, twice-weekly ketamine tablet significantly reduced depression symptoms. “Unlike current ketamine treatments requiring medical supervision, this tablet can be taken at home.” Over the past 20 years, research has primarily focused on injectable and nasal spray ketamine, which necessitates medical monitoring for two hours post-administration. This new tablet form eliminates the need for such supervision.

Convenience and Practical Benefits

Professor Colleen Loo of UNSW Sydney and the Black Dog Institute noted the promising results and the convenience of home administration compared to traditional methods. She highlighted that this tablet form makes ketamine treatment much easier to administer and allows patients to take their medication at home, similar to other antidepressants. “This development could also help patients who respond better to oral treatment than to injectable forms.”

The trial’s findings challenge the theory that dissociative effects are necessary for ketamine’s antidepressant benefits. The slow-release tablet does not induce these dissociative effects yet still improves depression symptoms. This suggests that the theory requiring altered reality perceptions for improvement may not be accurate.

The trial, led by Professor Paul Glue from the University of Otago, included 168 participants with treatment-resistant depression. They were divided into groups receiving varying doses of oral ketamine or a placebo. “The highest dose group (180 mg) showed significant improvement in their Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores compared to the placebo group, with minimal side effects.” Common side effects included dizziness, headache, anxiety, and minor feelings of dissociation.

Addressing Misuse Concerns

The study also addressed concerns about the potential misuse of the slow-release tablet. The tablets are exceptionally hard and difficult to manipulate, reducing the likelihood of abuse. No participants reported cravings for the tablets, and only one was removed from the study for non-compliance.

Despite these promising results, the slow-release ketamine tablet is still years away from being available as a treatment for depression. Further studies and regulatory approval are necessary before it can be widely used. “If approved, it could offer a more convenient and cost-effective treatment for severe depression.” The next step involves conducting larger trials to confirm these results.

Read the Original Article on: New Atlas

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