Can you believe a one drug have two completely different therapeutic roles?
The answer is YES. Drug name is Ketamine. Ketamine is used from 50 years as very effective Anesthetic in medical emergency and surgery. But today, it is also transforming psychiatric care by giving rapid relief for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
According to study Ketamine gives antidepressive effect within hours only. The mechanism behind that is :- rather than primarily targeting serotonin or norepinephrine, ketamine works by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, leading to increased glutamate signaling and enhanced synaptic plasticity. These neurobiological changes are believed to contribute to its rapid antidepressant effects.
As every drug has its own side effects Ketamine also produce ADR like issociation, increased blood pressure, and potential for misuse.
But ongoing research aims to optimize its safety while expanding its role in psychiatric treatment.
I was also got little surprised when i heard this things about ketamine from my M pharm cology senior. I read 2-3 articles then i came this tremendous use of ketamine.
Conclusion:
Ketamine’s journey from an anesthetic to a rapid-acting antidepressant highlights the power of drug repurposing and advances in pharmacology.
If used under proper medical supervision, do you think ketamine should have a broader role in treating depression
MBH/PS