APPLICABILITY OF KETAMINE IN REFRACTORY DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL IDEATION: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Treatment-resistant depression (DRT) and acute suicidal ideation are serious psychiatric conditions that require rapid and effective interventions. The use of ketamine and esketamine has been explored as an innovative therapeutic approach, offering rapid symptom relief when compared to traditional antidepressants. This article sets out to evaluate the benefits of administering ketamine and esketamine in the treatment of TRD and suicidal ideation, compared to conventional therapies. It is a review of clinical trials and meta-analyses comparing the efficacy and safety of ketamine and esketamine with standard treatments for TRD and suicidal ideation. The administration of ketamine and esketamine has been shown to significantly reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in the short term, outperforming conventional treatments. Nasal esketamine, in particular, proved superior to other therapies in the management of TRD, offering a practical and effective alternative. The use of ketamine and esketamine is effective and has significant benefits in the treatment of TRD and suicidal ideation, and their inclusion in therapeutic protocols is recommended, especially in cases where traditional treatments fail to produce rapid and effective results.