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Oral Ketamine as a Practical, Low-Cost Option for Severe Depression

ketamineoral ketamineracemic ketamineesketaminemajor depressive disordertreatment-resistant depressionsuicidalitypsychopharmacologyoff-label prescribingnarrative reviewLAMICdosing protocol Psychiatry / Psychopharmacology

Background Information

Oral ketamine emerges as a safe, low-cost depression treatment.

Oral ketamine provides a noninvasive, cost-effective option for treating severe and treatment-resistant depression, particularly in low-resource settings. The guide outlines a protocol for safe administration of oral ketamine, emphasizing minimized side effects and its applicability in diverse clinical settings. This teaching article offers practical guidance for prescribers to use oral ketamine, highlighting drug interactions, dosing, and monitoring, critical for adoption in low- and middle-income countries. Oral ketamine is a viable, affordable option for depression, offering flexibility in treatment settings.

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Authors: Andrade C

Citation: Andrade C The Prescriber's Guide to Oral Ketamine for Patients With Major Depressive Illness: Principles and Practice. The Journal of clinical psychiatry. 2026;87(3). doi:10.4088/JCP.26f16110

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI

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Executive Summary
Study Design
Patient Population
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