Ketamine slow-release tablet reduces symptoms of severe depression: Clinical trial

Ketamine slow-release tablets showed promise for treatment-resistant severe depression in a randomized placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. Researchers assigned 168 patients to placebo or one of four oral ketamine strengths. The strongest dose, 180 mg taken twice weekly, produced the largest average reduction in MADRS depression scores compared with placebo. The study emphasizes that the tablet can be taken at home without the prolonged clinician monitoring required for injectable or nasal formulations and reported negligible side effects. Results also challenge ideas that dissociative or altered-reality effects are required for ketamine's antidepressant benefit, since the slow-release approach avoids prominent dissociation. Further multicenter trials are needed to confirm reproducibility and support regulatory approval; the report notes the drug was not yet FDA approved at the time.