THE DIFFERENCE IN KETAMINE & ANTIDEPRESSANTS
Ketamine is a unique medication with properties that distinguish it from typical antidepressants. While typical antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), work by modulating the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, ketamine operates through a different mechanism.
Mechanism of action: Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist, meaning it blocks the NMDA receptors in the brain. This action leads to increased levels of a neurotransmitter called glutamate and promotes synaptic plasticity. In contrast, typical antidepressants primarily target serotonin, norepinephrine, or both, by inhibiting their reuptake.
Onset of action: Ketamine has a rapid onset of action, often producing noticeable effects within hours or even minutes after administration. This quick response is distinct from typical antidepressants, which can take several weeks to exert their full therapeutic effects.
Treatment-resistant depression: Ketamine has shown particular promise in treating treatment-resistant-depression (TRD), which refers to depression that does not respond adequately to multiple traditional antidepressant treatments. Some studies have demonstrated significant improvement in depressive symptoms in individuals with TRD after ketamine infusion therapy.
Administration: Ketamine is most commonly administered via intravenous (IV) infusion, although intranasal and oral formulations are also available but less effective. In contrast, typical antidepressants are usually taken orally as tablets or capsules.
Duration of effects: The effects of a single ketamine infusion can be relatively short-lived, typically lasting a few days to a couple of weeks. By getting multiple treatments over a short period, studies have shown that the effects may last weeks to several months or more. Maintenance treatments may be necessary to sustain the antidepressant effects. Typical antidepressants, on the other hand, require daily dosing for a more prolonged duration of action.
Side effects: Ketamine can produce dissociative effects, such as altered perception, hallucinations, or a sense of detachment from oneself or the environment. It may also cause transient increases in blood pressure and heart rate. In contrast, typical antidepressants have their own range of potential side effects, which can include decreased sex drive, weight gain, insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, cardiac arrythmias, confusion, seizures and other common effects.