Ketamine Tablets: A Promising Alternative for Treating Severe Depression - New Studies and Findings

New Zealand
A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications investigated the safety and tolerability of extended-release ketamine tablets (R-107) for treatment-resistant major depression (TRD), showing significant reduction in Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores compared to placebo at week 13.
Of 231 patients with treatment-resistant depression who took a ketamine tablet once a day for five days, 132 achieved remission and an additional 36 recorded a significant response to treatment.
Patients on the highest dose (180mg) of a slow-release ketamine tablet had significant reductions in depression symptoms compared to placebo.
Ketamine Tablets: A Promising Alternative for Treating Severe Depression - New Studies and Findings

Title: Ketamine Tablets Show Promise in Treating Severe Depression: A Comprehensive Analysis of Recent Studies

Lead: Ketamine, a drug primarily used as an anesthetic, has gained attention for its potential to treat severe depression. Recent studies suggest that oral ketamine tablets may be more effective and convenient than other forms of administration.

Fact 1: New Study on Ketamine Tablets for Treatment-Resistant Depression A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications investigated the safety and tolerability of extended-release ketamine tablets (R-107) for treatment-resistant major depression (TRD). The primary endpoint was a significant reduction in Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores compared to placebo at week 13. Additionally, the study showed that relapse rates during double-blind treatment were lower for those receiving ketamine tablets than for the placebo group.

Fact 2: Elon Musk-Backed Ketamine Therapy Offers Hope to Depression Patients Another study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reported that of 231 patients with treatment-resistant depression who took a ketamine tablet once a day for five days, 132 achieved remission and an additional 36 recorded a significant response to treatment. Oral ketamine was also found to be preferable to intravenous or nasal spray forms for depression treatment according to Dr. Paul Keedwell, a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Fact 3: New Slow-Release Ketamine Tablet Shows Potential in Treating Severe Depression A third study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that patients on the highest dose (180mg) of a slow-release ketamine tablet had significant reductions in depression symptoms compared to placebo. The tablet form also avoids the dissociative effects associated with other ketamine treatments.

Background Information: Ketamine, a glutamate receptor antagonist, has been shown to have rapid-onset antidepressant activity in patients with treatment-resistant major depression. The drug is usually administered via injection or nasal spray but can come with adverse effects such as high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat. Recent studies suggest that oral ketamine tablets may be a more convenient and effective alternative for depression treatment.

Conclusion: The recent studies on ketamine tablets offer promising results in the treatment of severe depression, providing a convenient and safe at-home alternative to existing treatments. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and achieve clinical approval.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

92%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

A ketamine pill may help hard-to-treat depression with fewer side effects, early research suggests

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Brenda Goodman Monday, 24 June 2024 15:00
  • Unique Points
    • A new ketamine pill may help hard-to-treat depression with fewer side effects than other forms of the treatment, early research suggests.
    • No form of ketamine has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat any psychiatric disorder, including depression.
    • The highest dose (180 milligrams a day) of the slow-release ketamine pill resulted in statistically significant benefit, reducing depression scores by about six points compared with a placebo group.
    • There is a tension between wanting the benefits of a drug like ketamine to be more available and making sure treatment can be given safely and responsibly.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (80%)
    The article provides information about a new ketamine pill that may help treat depression with fewer side effects than other forms of the treatment. The author mentions that no form of ketamine has been approved by the FDA to treat any psychiatric disorder, but then goes on to discuss a derivative of ketamine called esketamine, which was approved in 2019 as a nasal spray for depression. This is an example of selective reporting and misinformation. The author also mentions compounded ketamine lozenges and pills that are available through online pharmacies but warns against their use due to lack of safety evaluation by the FDA. However, she fails to mention that these forms of ketamine are often used off-label for depression treatment and can be obtained with a prescription. This is an example of omission and bias. The author also quotes Dr. Brian Barnett discussing the benefits and limitations of oral ketamine pills, but does not disclose that he was not involved in the study she is reporting on, which could potentially influence readers' perception of his credibility.
    • The author states: 'From a public health standpoint, you can serve more people with a pill than with clinic-based treatments.' However, she fails to mention that oral forms of ketamine are often used off-label for depression treatment and can be obtained with a prescription. This is an example of omission and bias.
    • The author quotes Dr. Brian Barnett saying: 'It would be very beneficial for many people to have this available as a medication that they could take at home.' However, she fails to disclose that he was not involved in the study she is reporting on, which could potentially influence readers' perception of his credibility.
    • The author states: 'A new ketamine pill may help hard-to-treat depression with fewer side effects than other forms of the treatment, early research suggests.' However, no FDA-approved form of ketamine exists for depression treatment and only a derivative called esketamine has been approved as a nasal spray. This is an example of selective reporting and misinformation.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article discusses early research on a ketamine pill for hard-to-treat depression with fewer side effects. While the author does not directly make claims about the efficacy of the treatment, they report on a study that shows promising results. There are no clear logical fallacies present in the article, but it does not provide enough information to definitively state whether or not the ketamine pill is effective or safe for use.
    • A derivative of ketamine, called esketamine, was approved in 2019 to treat depression. It’s a nasal spray called Spravato.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Extended-release ketamine tablets for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled phase 2 trial

Nature Magazine Surman, Peter Monday, 24 June 2024 21:44
  • Unique Points
    • Study investigated the safety and tolerability of extended-release ketamine tablets (R-107) for treatment-resistant major depression (TRD)
    • Primary endpoint: least square mean change in MADRS score for each active treatment compared with placebo at week 13
    • Measured relapse rates during double-blind treatment showed a dose response from 70.6% for placebo to 42.9% for 180 mg
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Elon Musk-backed ketamine therapy offers hope to patients with severe depression where other...

Daily Mail Xantha Leatham Monday, 24 June 2024 15:26
  • Unique Points
    • A new study suggests that take-home ketamine tablets are effective against depression.
    • Of 231 patients with treatment-resistant depression who took a ketamine tablet once a day for five days, 132 achieved remission and an additional 36 recorded a significant response to treatment.
    • 71% of patients in the placebo group experienced a relapse into depression by the end of the study compared to 43% of those who received ketamine tablets.
    • Oral ketamine is preferable to intravenous or nasal spray forms for depression treatment according to Dr. Paul Keedwell, a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
    • Over 70% of depression sufferers who had failed to improve with an average of over 4 different antidepressants responded to oral ketamine and over 50% went into complete remission.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ketamine tablets help reduce side-effects in depression sufferers

Financial Times Monday, 24 June 2024 21:48
  • Unique Points
    • Article discusses the effectiveness of Ketamine tablets in reducing side-effects for depression sufferers.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ketamine Tablet Shows Promise for Treating Severe Depression

Neuroscience News Neuroscience News Monday, 24 June 2024 20:28
  • Unique Points
    • A new slow-release ketamine tablet has shown potential in treating severe depression.
    • Patients on the highest dose of ketamine (180mg) had significant reductions in depression symptoms compared to placebo.
    • The tablet form avoids the dissociative effects associated with other ketamine treatments.
  • Accuracy
    • The highest dose (180 milligrams a day) of the slow-release ketamine pill resulted in statistically significant benefit, reducing depression scores by about six points compared with a placebo group.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states that 'The kind of results we’re seeing look as good as other ways of giving ketamine.' This statement implies that the author's opinion is fact and carries weight due to their expertise. However, while the author's expertise is relevant, it does not automatically make their opinion correct or a fact.
    • The kind of results we’re seeing look as good as other ways of giving ketamine.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication