Can ketamine ease pain and depression after C-Section? early trial shows promise

NCT ID NCT05907213

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Grace Lim, MD, MS Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early study tested different doses of ketamine given through an IV to 12 women after cesarean delivery. The goal was to find a dose that is well-tolerated without serious side effects like dangerous changes in blood pressure or heart rate. The highest safe dose was found to be 0.18 mg/kg for one hour, followed by a lower dose for 11 hours. This sets the stage for future studies to see if ketamine can actually reduce postpartum depression and pain.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Ketamine (Ketalar)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a safe, short-term treatment to reduce pain and depression after C-section without strong side effects.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small phase 1 trial with only 12 participants. It only tested tolerability, not effectiveness, so it may not lead to a proven treatment.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Pain, Postoperative postpartum depression

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DEPRESSION, POSTPARTUM PAIN, POSTOPERATIVE

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

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