Ketamine showdown: which form works best for stubborn depression?

NCT ID NCT06278779

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 25, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two forms of ketamine—Spravato (a nasal spray) and standard racemic ketamine (given as an infusion)—in 162 adults with treatment-resistant depression. Participants will be randomly assigned to one treatment and will complete questionnaires about mood, side effects, and quality of life. The goal is to see which option is more effective and better tolerated.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Black Dog Institute

    RECRUITING

    Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Gold Coast University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Ramsay Clinic Albert Road

    RECRUITING

    Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Ramsay Clinic Lakeside

    RECRUITING

    Warners Bay, New South Wales, 2282, Australia

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Ramsay Clinic Northside

    RECRUITING

    St Leonards, New South Wales, 2065, Australia

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Royal Melbourne Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Camperdown, New South Wales, 2050, Australia

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

ketamine (Spravato and racemic ketamine)

What this could lead to

If successful, this trial could show which form of ketamine works better for people with hard-to-treat depression, potentially improving treatment guidelines.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small study (162 people) and results may not apply to everyone. Ketamine can cause side effects like dissociation and blood pressure changes, and long-term effects are still being studied.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.