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Ketamine treatment for depression : Opportunities for clinical innovation and ethical foresight
Singh, Ilina Morgan, Celia Curran, Valerie Nutt, David Schlag, Anne McShane, Rupert
Singh, Ilina
Morgan, Celia
Curran, Valerie
Nutt, David
Schlag, Anne
McShane, Rupert
Abstract
We present a review and analysis of the ethical considerations in off-label ketamine use for severe, treatment-resistant depression. The analysis of ethical considerations is contextualised in an overview of the evidence for ketamine use in depression, and a review of the drug's safety profile. We find that, based on current evidence, ketamine use for severe, treatment-resistant depression does not violate ethical principles; however, clinicians and professional bodies must take steps to ensure that guidelines for good practice are enacted, that all experimental and trial data are made available through national registries, and that the risk potential of ketamine treatment continues to be monitored and modelled. We conclude with a set of key recommendations for oversight bodies that would support safe, effective, and ethical use of ketamine in depression.
Keywords
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
The Lancet Psychiatry
Book
Volume
4
Issue
5
Page Range
419-426
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled