2018 · Meta-analysis
Wilkinson et al. 2018 - ketamine and suicidal ideation
The effect of a single dose of intravenous ketamine on suicidal ideation: meta-analysis
Medically reviewed by: Pending medical review(draft)Last updated: June 4, 2026Evidence: Wilkinson ST et al.. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2018.
Population
Individual patient data from 10 studies, 167 patients
Intervention
Single IV ketamine
Comparator
Saline or midazolam
Primary outcome
Suicidal ideation scores
Key findings
- Rapid reduction in suicidal ideation within 24 hours
- Effect partially independent of antidepressant effect
- Sustained up to 7 days in many patients
Limitations
- Heterogeneous protocols
- Not designed for safety endpoints
- Inpatient-skewed samples
Educational use only. The content on this page is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ketamine and related therapies carry risks and are appropriate only under qualified medical supervision. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional about your individual situation. Information may change as research evolves.