References and Scientific Resources
Bridgeway provides educational information about ketamine therapy, treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, and patient safety. The sources below support the specific statements that carry a numbered superscript citation on this website.
Important: A research study describes results in a particular study population, treatment protocol, and time frame. It does not guarantee an individual outcome. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Use of IV ketamine for psychiatric conditions and chronic pain is off-label. Please discuss potential benefits, risks, alternatives, and whether treatment is appropriate for you with a qualified medical provider.
Regulatory and Safety Information
1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. KETALAR (ketamine hydrochloride) injection, prescribing information. Drugs@FDA. View prescribing information. Accessed August 19, 2026. Publication note: Before publishing or revising any safety statement, confirm the most current FDA-approved labeling applicable to the product used by Bridgeway.
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns patients and health care providers about potential risks associated with compounded ketamine products, including oral formulations, for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. October 10, 2023. View FDA compounding risk alerts. The official alert index identifies this notice by title and date.
Treatment-Resistant Depression Research
3. Murrough JW, Iosifescu DV, Chang LC, et al. Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: a two-site randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2013;170(10):1134-1142. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13030392. View abstract on PubMed.
4. Phillips JL, Norris S, Talbot J, et al. Single, repeated, and maintenance ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;176(5):401-409. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18070834. View abstract on PubMed.
5. Grunebaum MF, Galfalvy HC, Choo TH, et al. Ketamine for rapid reduction of suicidal thoughts in major depression: a midazolam-controlled randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2018;175(4):327-335. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17060647. View abstract on PubMed.
Chronic-Pain Research
6. Cohen SP, Bhatia A, Buvanendran A, et al. Consensus guidelines on the use of intravenous ketamine infusions for chronic pain from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. 2018;43(5):521-546. doi:10.1097/AAP.0000000000000808. View abstract on PubMed
2026 systematic review/meta-analysis of IV ketamine for CRPS, involving 21 studies and 605 ketamine-treated patients; the authors found reduction in pain but limited evidence for long-term durability and individual predictors. (PubMed)
7. van den Brink J, van der Spek DPC, Baart SJ, Huygen FJPM, Dirckx M. Intravenous ketamine for complex regional pain syndrome: pain outcomes and predictors of response. A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain. 2026;106397. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2026.106397. View article.
Scope note: Reference 7 concerns complex regional pain syndrome. It should not be used to imply the same outcome for other chronic-pain conditions.
Medication Considerations
8. Atidio JP, Delfino RS, Garios IS, et al. Role of concomitant benzodiazepines, lithium, and lamotrigine in modulating the antidepressant effects of subcutaneous esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depressive episodes: a retrospective naturalistic study. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2026;406:121721. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2026.121721. View abstract on PubMed.
Scope note: Reference 8 studied subcutaneous esketamine in a retrospective real-world cohort. It does not establish that a particular medication will or will not alter an individual patient’s response to IV ketamine. Do not stop or change medication without guidance from the clinician who prescribed it.
Crisis Support and Public-Health Data
9. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 988 Frequently Asked Questions. View 988 FAQ. Accessed August 19, 2026.
10. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Releases. View the 2024 NSDUH releases. Accessed August 19, 2026.
If you are in immediate danger or believe you may harm yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For 24/7 crisis support in the United States, call or text 988. Bridgeway’s consultation form is not an emergency service.
SPRAVATO REMS
11. SPRAVATO REMS. SPRAVATO REMS Program Requirements. View the REMS program. Accessed August 19, 2026.
Scope note: Bridgeway offers SPRAVATO. Maintain current SPRAVATO REMS certification and program compliance, and review this source promptly if the service status or REMS requirements change.
Last reviewed: August 19, 2026. This page is for educational reference only and is not medical advice. Bridgeway should obtain clinical approval for all medical copy and review every citation at least annually, or sooner if a referenced guideline, drug label, or regulatory source changes.