Low-cost ketamine effective for long-term depression treatment.
A study shows generic ketamine is effective for long-term depression treatment, offering a cheaper alternative.
Why it matters
- Generic ketamine is a cost-effective treatment for severe depression.
- Long-term effectiveness shown in real-world settings.
By the numbers
- 65 patients treated for 2-6 months.
- 44.2% responded to treatment by six months.
- 73.3% showed improved suicidality scores.
The big picture
- Ketamine offers a new treatment avenue for treatment-resistant depression.
- Lack of government support limits accessibility.
What they're saying
- Previous studies showed short-term effectiveness; this extends it to six months.
- Concerns about accessibility and funding for veterans.
Caveats
- Limited by lack of government support for approval and funding.
- Observational study, not a randomized controlled trial.
What’s next
- Researchers are conducting a clinical trial comparing generic ketamine and S-ketamine.
- Ongoing tracking of long-term data to understand effectiveness and safety.